Tazuko McLaren is chairperson of the Japan Centre Committee Inc. at Lismore’s Southern Cross University (SCU) and Japanese student liaison officer at the International Office at SCU.
As well as providing translation, Mrs. McLaren has been responsible for organising performance schedules, home stay accommodation, logistics, and meals for all nine of the Isabella a cappella tours. She has tirelessly and effectively promoted the Lismore-Japan relationship as a representative of SCU and the Japan Centre Committee. In the latter case, she instigated and organised the first four Isabella a cappella tours to raise over $50,000 towards the construction of the Fr. Tony Glynn Memorial Japan Centre building at SCU’s Lismore campus.
She constantly hosts Japanese visitors to the region, organising home stay, entertainment and introductions to the Lismore community. She is an invaluable asset to SCU, Lismore and the Australia-Japan relationship.
In June, 2013 the Consul-General of Japan in Australia, Dr Masahiro Kohara, presented her with a certificate from the Japanese government in recognition of her outstanding contribution to mutual understanding and friendship between Australia and Japan.