Grove marks Japanese links

THE National Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda is strengthening its ties with Japan with the rededication of its Japanese Cherry Grove.
Parks Victoria last week rededicated the grove to Shisei Kaku Consul-General of Japan with the unveiling of new plaques.
This comes a decade after the Cherry Tree Grove was first officially opened by Japanese Imperial Highnesses, Prince and Princes Akishino.
In 1995, a cherry planting committee was formed at the request of the then Consul-General Koichi Obata, which gained support from many people in the Japanese-Australia community to establish the grove at the National Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda.
Mike Goode of Parks Victoria said the grove is now a significant feature in the gardens’ spring landscape.
He said the flowering of the cherries at the gardens are celebrated each spring.
Mr Goode said because 2006 is the year of exchange between the two countries, the Australia-Japan Society decided it was time to rededicate the cherry grove.