This delightful story was submitted by Aya Murakami. Aya, from Japan, is undertaking studies for a Masters in Law at the University of NSW under the Rotary International Global Scholars Program. The focus of her studies is peace and conflict resolution, and she is jointly sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Nara, in Japan, and our Club, Botany Randwick.
Cowra symbolizes peace and friendship between Australia and Japan, but there is also a bitter history behind it. There were prison camps in Cowra during the Second World War in which over 2,000 Japanese were held among other prisoners from different countries.
On 5 August 1944, 231 Japanese died after attempting to escape. They rest at the Japanese War Cemetery which lies next to the cemetery of Australians who lost their lives in the town during the War. The Cemetery is simple, yet tells us a lot about the history. Each grave has their name, age, sometimes a short description of how the person died. Mostly young men, some were kids, some were old. As we walked through the Cemetery, we imagined the faces of those who lived and died during that time.
William Bishop, known to former members as Bill, passed away on 2nd September, after having celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year, on 9 January.
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Alan Segal, a passionate Rotarian since 1985 – 37 years. 
