Etsuko Yasunaga came from Japan to Australia with a suitcase, a little savings and a little English. These days she is happy to call Inverloch home. By Etsuko Yasunaga
ON RETURN from our recent holiday in France and Italy, I was happy to be back in the spaciousness and quiet of Inverloch. Travelling is always an eye-opener for a curious mind. Different places, different languages and different foods stimulated me immensely. I embraced the whole experience of travelling. Although not everything was rosy, I tried to stay positive. We visited many incredible places, walked hilltop paths with superb views, and tasted delectable local produce. I was delighted when local people understood my tentative French.
In one way six weeks went like in the blink of an eye, yet six weeks were quite a long time to be away from home. When I saw the lush green hills of Gippsland, and the bright colour of the water from the window of the VLine bus, the feeling of homecoming was intense.
ON RETURN from our recent holiday in France and Italy, I was happy to be back in the spaciousness and quiet of Inverloch. Travelling is always an eye-opener for a curious mind. Different places, different languages and different foods stimulated me immensely. I embraced the whole experience of travelling. Although not everything was rosy, I tried to stay positive. We visited many incredible places, walked hilltop paths with superb views, and tasted delectable local produce. I was delighted when local people understood my tentative French.
In one way six weeks went like in the blink of an eye, yet six weeks were quite a long time to be away from home. When I saw the lush green hills of Gippsland, and the bright colour of the water from the window of the VLine bus, the feeling of homecoming was intense.
It was the same strong feeling I had felt many times before – in Japan and in Australia. I appreciated our home deeply. Inverloch, a little piece of paradise, is the place where we consciously came to belong, nearly five years ago.
When my husband decided to retire, he couldn’t imagine continuing to live in Melbourne. Melbourne had become too crowded and too big, and he had had enough of city life by then. Being four years younger than him, I still had lots going on for me in Elsternwick. My life was full – my work as a fitness instructor at gyms around Melbourne, my dojo for Aikido practice, and a circle of many good friends. I didn’t want to slow down just yet, and I couldn’t imagine cutting all the ties I had nurtured since I moved to Melbourne in my late twenties. Honestly, I thought I could have continued to live in the same way for at least another ten years. I couldn’t think of a better place.
When we spent one weekend in Inverloch, however, my mind shifted. Inverloch had everything we wanted – beach, fresh air, and a friendly tight knit community. The surroundings of Bass Coast and Gippsland offered outdoor activities that we wanted to continue enjoying. The best part was the peace and quiet of this charming seaside town. It was an ideal place for living a tranquil life away from city. We started looking for a place straight away. It was September 2012. We found a house we liked and purchased it in early 2013. On Christmas Day 2013 we moved in.
Although I was excited about a new chapter of our life in Inverloch, parting didn’t come easy for me. There was a great sense of loss – leaving everything and everyone precious behind me. I fought back my tears on many occasions as my imminent departure from my city life neared. Even after my move, I continued to travel to Melbourne on weekends to make my transition gradual. Moving to Inverloch also triggered thoughts about my move to Australia. During this period, I often reflected on the biggest decision of my life many moons ago.
When my husband decided to retire, he couldn’t imagine continuing to live in Melbourne. Melbourne had become too crowded and too big, and he had had enough of city life by then. Being four years younger than him, I still had lots going on for me in Elsternwick. My life was full – my work as a fitness instructor at gyms around Melbourne, my dojo for Aikido practice, and a circle of many good friends. I didn’t want to slow down just yet, and I couldn’t imagine cutting all the ties I had nurtured since I moved to Melbourne in my late twenties. Honestly, I thought I could have continued to live in the same way for at least another ten years. I couldn’t think of a better place.
When we spent one weekend in Inverloch, however, my mind shifted. Inverloch had everything we wanted – beach, fresh air, and a friendly tight knit community. The surroundings of Bass Coast and Gippsland offered outdoor activities that we wanted to continue enjoying. The best part was the peace and quiet of this charming seaside town. It was an ideal place for living a tranquil life away from city. We started looking for a place straight away. It was September 2012. We found a house we liked and purchased it in early 2013. On Christmas Day 2013 we moved in.
Although I was excited about a new chapter of our life in Inverloch, parting didn’t come easy for me. There was a great sense of loss – leaving everything and everyone precious behind me. I fought back my tears on many occasions as my imminent departure from my city life neared. Even after my move, I continued to travel to Melbourne on weekends to make my transition gradual. Moving to Inverloch also triggered thoughts about my move to Australia. During this period, I often reflected on the biggest decision of my life many moons ago.
Etsuko in Japan I was a Japanese teacher in a stifling school environment in Nagasaki. I felt so constrained that after three years, I was prepared to do anything to move away from it. I participated in a cultural exchange programme as a Japanese ambassador and spent nine months in Canberra. I visited local schools to spread the Japanese culture and language. I had a ball. I went home briefly but felt whole Japanese society stifling. I applied for a teaching job from Japan and was offered a position in a private school in bayside Melbourne. When I look back I can’t believe how brave I was. All I had was a suitcase, a bag, and little savings. I didn’t know anyone, where I was living, and didn’t speak English well. I survived somehow.
My move to Australia was meant to be a trial. If it didn’t work out, I would return home. After a few years, my heart was torn. I loved my new life in Brighton, yet the yearning for my motherland intensified. At the same time, I began to truly understand and to appreciate the beauty of Japanese culture through the eye of the native person living away from Japan. I understood why Japanese society was so stifling for me without any judgment or criticism. How many times did I wipe away my tears at the airport when I farewelled my family? How nostalgic reminiscences of my primary school years made me pine for my childhood in Japan. As painful as it was at that time, I treasure this experience of deep yearning.
As human beings we have a fundamental need to belong. Belonging is an indispensable part of what makes us human, and that’s what drove us to live in beautiful Inverloch, now our adopted home.
My move to Australia was meant to be a trial. If it didn’t work out, I would return home. After a few years, my heart was torn. I loved my new life in Brighton, yet the yearning for my motherland intensified. At the same time, I began to truly understand and to appreciate the beauty of Japanese culture through the eye of the native person living away from Japan. I understood why Japanese society was so stifling for me without any judgment or criticism. How many times did I wipe away my tears at the airport when I farewelled my family? How nostalgic reminiscences of my primary school years made me pine for my childhood in Japan. As painful as it was at that time, I treasure this experience of deep yearning.
As human beings we have a fundamental need to belong. Belonging is an indispensable part of what makes us human, and that’s what drove us to live in beautiful Inverloch, now our adopted home.
Etsuko Yasunaga on the Inverloch inlet beach, 2018