Your Turn Events

15/09/2026

Love this festival and the community it brings together!!
✨🌸🇯🇵✨🇦🇺

🌸 SPONSOR SHOUTOUT: Your Turn Events 🌸
Thank you to Renee from Your Turn Events .

Every lantern on the water and every stage that runs on time is somebody's work. Your Turn Events are the team behind the scenes making a two-week, four-town program actually happen - the logistics, the crews, the thousand small decisions that go into festival planning and organisation. The SWJF couldn't run without you!

Find out more about YTE here: https://www.southwestjapanfestival.com.au/yourturnevents

14/09/2026

Opening night for South West Japan Festival at Hearth of Rèn ✨🌸🇯🇵💚

31/08/2026

We are looking for an event superstar ✨ who can assist with an upcoming festival!

Skills / Availability
Prior event management experience necessary
Attention to detail and manage large numbers.

Available 7-20 Sept 2026
Events in Bunbury, Busselton and Dunsborough

Contact Renee from Your Turn Events or complete the online registration form.

https://www.southwestjapanfestival.com.au/volunteer

Looking forward to hearing from you!
💚

The South West Japan Festival is organised by Renee Lee from Your Turn Events (an independent Event Planner), along with a team of supportive Japan enthusiasts.

02/08/2026

Taking a moment to pause and reflect on the last 10 years of YTE, whilst sitting in Hearth of Rèn 💚

Ten years ago, I was a stay-at-home mum with three little girls under five. Somewhere between the nappies, sleepless nights and endless to-do lists, I had forgotten the sound of my own name.

Then one day, my friend Amanda called.

“Hey Ren, can you help serve drinks at our event and source some staff?”

“Yeah… sure, why not?” So I rang Lynette, to join this crazy ride at Edith Valley 💚

That one phone call changed everything.

Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith and started this business with a dream, a passion and a whole lot of determination.

✨ Today we celebrate 10 incredible years. ✨

It certainly hasn’t always been easy. There have been challenges, lessons, setbacks and plenty of “WTAF” moments that tested me in every possible way. But every obstacle has shaped this business into what it is today and I couldn’t be more grateful for every person who has supported me along the way.

When I look back over the past decade, what fills my heart most isn’t just the milestones we’ve achieved—it’s the people. The smiles, the laughter, the celebrations and the beautiful memories we’ve created together. Being trusted to be part of so many special moments has been the greatest privilege, and those connections are what make these last 10 years so meaningful.

Now, sitting here and this new chapter feels incredibly special. It’s so much more than a new location. It’s the result of 10 years of hard work, resilience, persistence and believing (at times) that every challenge was leading me somewhere greater.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve been with me since day one or have only recently joined us, your support has meant more than you’ll ever know.

As we step into this next chapter, my heart is so full knowing this dream is becoming more than just my business—it’s becoming our family business.

Having my girls by my side, watching them grow, learn and become part of something we’ve built with so much love is something I’ll never take for granted.

TBC in comments

01/08/2026

Taking a moment to pause and reflect on the last 10 years of YTE, whilst sitting in Hearth of Rèn 💚

Ten years ago, I was a stay-at-home mum with three little girls under five. Somewhere between the nappies, sleepless nights and endless to-do lists, I had forgotten the sound of my own name.

Then one day, my friend Amanda called.

"Hey Ren, can you help serve drinks at our event and source some staff?"

"Yeah… sure, why not?" So I rang Lynette, to join this crazy ride at Edith Valley 💚

That one phone call changed everything.

Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith and started this business with a dream, a passion and a whole lot of determination.

✨ Tomorrow, we celebrate 10 incredible years. ✨

It certainly hasn't always been easy. There have been challenges, lessons, setbacks and plenty of "WTAF" moments that tested me in every possible way. But every obstacle has shaped this business into what it is today and I couldn't be more grateful for every person who has supported me along the way.

When I look back over the past decade, what fills my heart most isn't just the milestones we've achieved—it's the people. The smiles, the laughter, the celebrations and the beautiful memories we've created together. Being trusted to be part of so many special moments has been the greatest privilege, and those connections are what make these last 10 years so meaningful.

Now, sitting here and this new chapter feels incredibly special. It's so much more than a new location. It's the result of 10 years of hard work, resilience, persistence and believing (at times) that every challenge was leading me somewhere greater.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you've been with me since day one or have only recently joined us, your support has meant more than you'll ever know.

As we step into this next chapter, my heart is so full knowing this dream is becoming more than just my business—it's becoming our family business.

Having my girls by my side, watching them grow, learn and become part of something we've built with so much love is something I'll never take for granted.

My hope is that this space becomes a place where not only our family continues to grow together, but where we can continue creating meaningful experiences, unforgettable memories and sharing our passion with all of you for many years to come.

❤️ Thank you for believing in my dream. Here's to the next chapter. 💚

P.S. A HUGE shout-out to Lauren () from Studio42. I pinky promised I'd do a post!!
Thank you for being part of this journey and for being such an important part of the team.

19/07/2026

✨ Exciting News ✨

YTE turning 10 and we’ve been about creating moments where people gather, connect, laugh, learn and leave feeling a little more at home.

Over the years, we’ve dreamed of a place where those moments didn’t have to end, when the event did.

Today, we’re sharing the beginning of that dream.

We’ve found a home.

It’s called Hearth of Rèn

A hearth has always been more than a fireplace. Across cultures, it has been the heart of a home, a place of warmth, stories, nourishment, creativity, and belonging.

Rèn (仁), inspired by the Confucian virtue, speaks to humanity, kindness and the care we show one another. Together, Hearth of Rèn represents a place where people are welcomed, relationships are nurtured, and community comes first.

This won’t simply be a venue.

It will be a place to sip tea, curl up with a good book, learn something new, make with your hands, share conversations, discover workshops, and create meaningful connections.

A place to slow down.
A place to belong.
A place to return to.

We’re still preparing to open our doors and there is so much we can’t wait to share with you. Over the coming weeks, we’ll take you behind the scenes as this space comes to life.

Thank you for being part of our journey over the past decade. None of this would exist without the community that has grown with us.

Welcome to the beginning of Hearth of Rèn. 💚

🌸 Renee, Airlie, Charlee and Mackenzie 🌸

TeaAndConnection NewBeginnings

17/06/2026

Thank you Abbey for the memories captured, such a fun day!

14/06/2026

Recognised in Celebration of 50+ Years of Australia–Japan

We are incredibly honoured to announce that the South West Japan Festival has been recognised as part of the celebrations commemorating over 50 years of friendship and partnership between Australia and Japan. 🇦🇺🤝🇯🇵

What began as a one-day event in Bunbury has grown into a regional celebration connecting communities across the South West through culture, friendship, education, and international exchange.

This recognition reflects the dedication of our volunteers, sponsors, partners, performers, local businesses, and supporters who have helped us build meaningful connections between Australia and Japan over the years.

From welcoming exchange students from Japan, to hosting our free monthly Japan Club, cultural workshops, performances, exhibitions, and community events, we remain committed to strengthening the ties between our two nations and creating opportunities for cultural understanding for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We look forward to continuing to celebrate the enduring friendship between Australia and Japan with our community for many years to come.

🇯🇵❤️🇦🇺
Reneé Lee
Event Director / Owner




https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/japan/50th-anniversary-basic-treaty-friendship-cooperation

04/04/2026

🌏 Nominations are open - Join our Sister City Advisory Group! 🌏

Are you passionate about culture, community and connecting with the world? We're looking for 10 community members to join the City of Bunbury's Sister City Advisory Group.

The Group supports our international friendships with Setagaya in Japan, Jiaxing in China and Nha Trang in Vietnam. From student exchanges and cultural events to welcoming visiting delegations right here in Bunbury, it's a rewarding way to get involved in the community.

If you speak the language, know the culture or have a personal connection to any of our partner cities, we'd love to hear from you!

Want to learn more or apply? Follow the link below for full details and to submit your nomination – https://vist.ly/4w6w6

Nominations close Tuesday 28 April 2026 and the term runs through to October 2027.