Reflections on working at the Australian Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka
Three Committee members of AJS-QLD, Julie Yamamoto, Shannon Whiley, and Lawson Dibb worked throughout EXPO 2025 Osaka at the Australian Pavilion and have provided their reflections on their once in a lifetime experience.
Lawson Dibb
Working at the Australian Pavilion was an absolute highlight of my career. For some visitors, it was a nostalgic reminder of a past trip to Australia; for many others, it was their very first encounter with what Australia has to offer—the breathtaking nature, unique wildlife, iconic sights, vibrant colours, lively culture, and, of course, the amazing food and drinks.
In my role assisting VIP guests of our partners, I often guided them through the visitor experience. It was always incredible to witness the expressions of awe from first-timers—whether marveling at the realistic depictions of the Australian landscape or admiring the stunning animations of sea life in the Sea Country. I particularly loved seeing young children and toddlers, some too stunned to speak, simply captivated by the wonder of the pavilion.
A personal anecdote brings this full circle. My old boss was a gentleman named Michael, affectionately known in the tourism industry as “Mr Disneyland.” – a destination rep for Anaheim and Disneyland. His expertise went far beyond a love of Mickey Mouse—he was passionate about every detail, from architecture and design to coordination and planning, ensuring the theme park ran flawlessly every day. When I asked him what inspired his lifelong interest, he shared that as a child, he had been mesmerized by Expo 88 in Brisbane. The performances, pavilions, and overall flow of the event left a lasting impression that eventually shaped his career.
With that story in mind, I always cherished seeing the reactions of children at the Australian Pavilion. Their wonder reminded me how early experiences with events like Expo are seeds planting lifelong curiosity and passion. It will be fascinating to see the impact the pavilion has on visitors in the years to come.