Celebrating and nurturing friendship, Cowra Breakout marks its 80th anniversary

It's been 80 years since Cowra Breakout, the largest prison break staged during World War II, happened in Cowra, New South Wales. 231 Japanese prisoners and four Australians died. How could Cowra and Japanese communites overcome the tragedy and build the lasting friendship?

Cowra Breakout 80th Anniversary. Counterclockwise from top right - Delegation from Joetsu City in Japan, Mayor of Cowra Ruth Fagan, Hiroaki Asada of Hiroshima Cowra Association, Japanese working holiday maker Yu Oyama (second from the left), President of Cowra Breakout Association Gordon Rolls. For the lower right photos - front row from right - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Mayor of Cowra Ruth Fagan, Japanese Ambassador SUZUKI Kazuhiro and his wife, NSW Shadow Water Minister Steph Cook. Credit: SBS/Embassy of Japan in Australia

In order of appearance：

Mayor of Cowra Ruth Fagan

President of Cowra Breakout Association Gordon Rolls

Deputy Mayor of Joetsu City ODA Motofumi

Hiroaki Asada of Hiroshima Cowra Association

Japanese working holiday maker Yu Oyama

Former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack

Japanese Ambassador SUZUKI Kazuhiro

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