Okinawans Reaching Australia – Book Launch and Public Talk

Come along to the public talk and book launch of ‘Okinawans Reaching Australia’ by John Lamb on July 30! Learn about the history of Australian-Japan relations in the early 20th century, and how to do your own research into piecing together this rich past. This is a free event in Runcorn, South Brisbane that includes afternoon tea. Find out more and register your information via the Eventbrite link.

More information:

John Lamb will provide an overview of his book which is the story of all known Okinawans to have reached Australia over the first six decades of the twentieth century. He will demonstrate the range of archival material brought together and show how different sources contribute in different ways to the overall picture. At the same time he would like to take you on a journey through his historical investigations and reveal his own experience of how fateful connections and unexpected discoveries seem to take over the life of the alert and ardent researcher.

The event timing will be as follows:

1:15pm - Doors open
1:30pm–2:30pm Presentation by John Lamb
2:30–3:00pm Light afternoon tea is served

About John Lamb:

John Lamb was born in Melbourne in 1949, and grew up in a family of five competitive boys. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Architecture, University of Melbourne (1973), Master of Engineering (Architectural Design) Waseda University (1976), and a Graduate Diploma of Education, Canberra University (1998).

He has worked in many areas of the Australian Public Service, been a teacher in both government and private schools and for many years ran a small business. He has also spent more than five years working in Japan, principally as a design manager and liaison officer in Ebara Corporation, Tokyo, but also as an architect, English teacher and translator.

It was only after purported retirement that he became seriously caught up in historical research. He has been the the recipient of a Northern Territory History Grant (2014), an Australia-Japan Foundation Grant (2016), and also a Commendation of the Ambassador of Japan for his distinguished contributions to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship. His book ‘Silent Pearls’ was short-listed for a Northern Territory History Award, and he has given many presentations and published a variety of articles relating to the history of Japanese in Australia.

Besides such research he is also heavily involved in Masters Athletics and works hard to find a good balance between physical and mental exertion.