Photos by Campbell Bridge
The Australia Indonesia Association (AIA) of NSW unites people with a social and cultural interest in Indonesia.
The association provides an opportunity to attend Sydney based Indonesian events, socialize with people who have a common interest in Indonesia and learn about Indonesian culture.
The association provides an opportunity to attend Sydney based Indonesian events, socialize with people who have a common interest in Indonesia and learn about Indonesian culture.
Who we are
AIA members have lived, worked, traveled or studied in Indonesia – or they plan to.
It includes people who have a fascination for the culture, music and art of Indonesia.
Some members have an Indonesian background and family living there while others have an academic interest in the country.
Whilst most of our members live in NSW, we have members in several other states and in Indonesia.
Everyone with an interest in Indonesia is welcome!
The Australia Indonesia Association was founded in 1945, making it one of the oldest and longest established organizations in the world with an interest in the newly independent country of Indonesia.
In 2020 we celebrated our 75th Anniversary.
This photo shows an early meeting of the AIA at Paddington Town Hall in Sydney in 1946.
What we do
The AIA have a range of activities to cater for the varied interests of our members.
Australia Indonesia Awards
The AIA initiated this national program of annual awards to recognise and honour Australians and Indonesians who have made significant contributions to the greater understanding and friendship between Indonesians and Australians. The awards are made in 3 categories which are different each year. Nominees for the awards are assessed on the basis of:
⦁ Demonstrated excellence in their field;
⦁ Demonstrated commitment to Australian Indonesian relationships;
⦁ Being a role model for others.
An independent Selection Panel selects the finalists and the winner in each category, with the Awards presented at a gala dinner attended by government and diplomatic leaders and dignitaries.
Zoom Cocktail Sessions
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, we reached out to our members via Zoom online sessions, held on a monthly basis as life returns to normal with guest speakers on a range of interesting topics. The sessions are very social, not webinars.
Social functions
Members get together for regular dinners (where not restricted by Covid-19), and participate in social functions conducted by other Indonesian community groups.
Education
The AIA endeavours to promote the study of Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesian culture at high schools, universities and adult education courses. We have arranged immersion courses in Indonesia for senior high school students, and provide the Lottie Maramis annual prizes to the top students of Bahasa Indonesia in NSW schools. AIA members welcome Indonesian post-graduate students and offer them subsidised participation at AIA functions and events.
History
The AIA was founded in 1945, making it one of the oldest and longest established organizations in the world with an interest in the newly independent country of Indonesia. In 2020 we celebrated our 75th Anniversary. We are proud of the history and are working on documenting our achievements over the years.
We conduct historical walks throughout Sydney pointing out places where AIA got its origins with commentary on the Indonesians and Australians that spoke out for Indonesia’s independence in 1945.
We also promote discussion and documentation of the history of the relations between Indonesia and Australia.
Communications
We issue a weekly email to members and friends of the AIA, informing them of upcoming Indonesian-related events in NSW and elsewhere. This is based on information received from various organisations, including AIYA, AIBC, AIA in other states, AIC, ICC.
AIA NSW enjoys a close relationship with the Indonesian Consulate in Sydney as well as the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra.
Our Facebook page continues to attract new members and lots of posts.
Governance
The AIA believes strongly that it is important not only to do what we consider right, but to ensure that we do it the right way. Our Committee, including Office Bearers, are all volunteers, elected at the Annual General Meeting each year. They are accountable to the members.
Our Constitution provides the basis for the governance and operations of the organisation.
The Constitution has been updated twice since the original Constitution of 1945 to reflect changes in regulatory requirements. The current Constitution adopted by the Annual General Meeting in 2016, is based on a template by the NSW Dept of Fair Trading.
Annual Financial Statements are presented to and approved by members at the Annual General Meeting.
Our Constitution
Download in PDF format
Annual Reports
AIA NSW Annual Report 2024
Download in PDF format
Committee
The Committee is elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. This is the current 2023-24 Committee.
Click a button to email that person.
President
Pat Hanna
president@australia-indonesia-association.com
Pat Hanna is a consulting geologist and has worked for over 40 years in Australia, USA, Canada, Alaska, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, India, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, China, Mongolia, Thailand, Japan, Philippines and New Zealand. Pat’s first trip to Indonesia was in 1989 and he has worked extensively in the jungles of Kalimantan and Sumatra. He has travelled through Java and Timur for sightseeing. Pat served on the committee of the NSW Branch of the AIBC in 2019 – 2020.
president@australia-indonesia-association.com
Pat Hanna is a consulting geologist and has worked for over 40 years in Australia, USA, Canada, Alaska, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, India, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, China, Mongolia, Thailand, Japan, Philippines and New Zealand. Pat’s first trip to Indonesia was in 1989 and he has worked extensively in the jungles of Kalimantan and Sumatra. He has travelled through Java and Timur for sightseeing. Pat served on the committee of the NSW Branch of the AIBC in 2019 – 2020.
Vice President 1
Isla Winarto
vicepresident1@australia-indonesia-association.com
Isla Winarto is Eurasian, with an Australian mother, and Indonesian father, who was one of the founding members of the AIA in Sydney in 1945. Born and raised in Sydney, for the past 38 years Isla has lived and worked in Jakarta, Indonesia.
After graduating from the University of Sydney, Isla worked as a Senior Teaching Fellow in Indonesian language and literature at Sydney University and Griffith University, Australia.
In Jakarta, Isla worked for 12 years at USAID, American Embassy Jakarta, in Indonesian language training, education and project management. Until her retirement, she was also the Country Director, Indonesia, of an Australian company, managing ten offices, focusing on international education and aid projects.
In her spare time, Isla is an active member and Advisor to the Board of the Indonesian Heritage Society in Jakarta, as well as the Jakarta representative of the Australia Indonesia Association of NSW. Currently she is also the Club Program/UN Liaison Officer for the Jakarta chapter of Soroptimist International, a global organization advancing the status of women. Through Soroptimist International, Isla has managed major donor funded projects in Indonesia, mainly in Aceh, Palu and Lombok.
vicepresident1@australia-indonesia-association.com
Isla Winarto is Eurasian, with an Australian mother, and Indonesian father, who was one of the founding members of the AIA in Sydney in 1945. Born and raised in Sydney, for the past 38 years Isla has lived and worked in Jakarta, Indonesia.
After graduating from the University of Sydney, Isla worked as a Senior Teaching Fellow in Indonesian language and literature at Sydney University and Griffith University, Australia.
In Jakarta, Isla worked for 12 years at USAID, American Embassy Jakarta, in Indonesian language training, education and project management. Until her retirement, she was also the Country Director, Indonesia, of an Australian company, managing ten offices, focusing on international education and aid projects.
In her spare time, Isla is an active member and Advisor to the Board of the Indonesian Heritage Society in Jakarta, as well as the Jakarta representative of the Australia Indonesia Association of NSW. Currently she is also the Club Program/UN Liaison Officer for the Jakarta chapter of Soroptimist International, a global organization advancing the status of women. Through Soroptimist International, Isla has managed major donor funded projects in Indonesia, mainly in Aceh, Palu and Lombok.
Treasurer
Steve Khouw
treasurer@australia-indonesia-association.com
Steve was born in Jakarta, Indonesia of Chinese ancestry, and is a grateful Aussie migrant. His entire life revolves around the practicality of engineering in the discipline of mining, building and sustainability. Steve has a background in entrepreneurship, established many business ventures both in Australia and pan-Asia centred in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. His current passion is in politics, driven by the many contemporary social justice issues such as environmental stewardship, men’s health and wellbeing focusing on preventing male suicide, combating racism and multicultural advocacy are just a few.
Steve is a Committee and Board member for a diversity of NGOs such as the Chinese Australian Forum, Delivery Riders Association and more. He loves adventure activities, from remote bushwalking to canyoning, kayaking, rock climbing and caving.
treasurer@australia-indonesia-association.com
Steve was born in Jakarta, Indonesia of Chinese ancestry, and is a grateful Aussie migrant. His entire life revolves around the practicality of engineering in the discipline of mining, building and sustainability. Steve has a background in entrepreneurship, established many business ventures both in Australia and pan-Asia centred in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. His current passion is in politics, driven by the many contemporary social justice issues such as environmental stewardship, men’s health and wellbeing focusing on preventing male suicide, combating racism and multicultural advocacy are just a few.
Steve is a Committee and Board member for a diversity of NGOs such as the Chinese Australian Forum, Delivery Riders Association and more. He loves adventure activities, from remote bushwalking to canyoning, kayaking, rock climbing and caving.
Committee
Eric de Haas
events@australia-indonesia-association.com
Eric is a former Chartered Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor. After working in the accounting profession in Australia and the Netherlands he moved to Indonesia in 1980, working in the accounting profession before diversifying to mining consultancy in Indonesia for almost 10 years. He worked with Price Waterhouse Consultants in Indonesia for 2 years and then spent four years as Corporate Internal Auditor for PT Bakrie and Brothers, a large Indonesian public company with diverse interests.
Since his return to Australia in 1998, Eric has continued to work in the Internal Audit and Risk Management area, and has maintained his interest in Indonesia completing three terms as National President of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC). Eric was then President of the Australia Indonesia Association for 10 years.
Whilst living in Indonesia, Eric was active in the Jakarta Youth Soccer organization, firstly as a Coach, then a Commissioner and finally Chief Commissioner. He was on the Board of Governors of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Here in Sydney, Eric was a director of the Institute of Internal Auditors and is Director and Company Secretary of the Juliana Village, a retirement and aged care facility in Miranda.
events@australia-indonesia-association.com
Eric is a former Chartered Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor. After working in the accounting profession in Australia and the Netherlands he moved to Indonesia in 1980, working in the accounting profession before diversifying to mining consultancy in Indonesia for almost 10 years. He worked with Price Waterhouse Consultants in Indonesia for 2 years and then spent four years as Corporate Internal Auditor for PT Bakrie and Brothers, a large Indonesian public company with diverse interests.
Since his return to Australia in 1998, Eric has continued to work in the Internal Audit and Risk Management area, and has maintained his interest in Indonesia completing three terms as National President of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC). Eric was then President of the Australia Indonesia Association for 10 years.
Whilst living in Indonesia, Eric was active in the Jakarta Youth Soccer organization, firstly as a Coach, then a Commissioner and finally Chief Commissioner. He was on the Board of Governors of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Here in Sydney, Eric was a director of the Institute of Internal Auditors and is Director and Company Secretary of the Juliana Village, a retirement and aged care facility in Miranda.
Committee
Helen Fraser
helen@australia-indonesia-association.com
Helen Fraser is a Sydney based commercial lawyer with a long executive career in technology businesses. Introduced to Indonesia at a young age, she studied Indonesian language through her school years and as part of a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) at ANU and Sydney University, traveling periodically and maintaining a long personal interest in the country. Helen is keen to foster closer engagement and understanding among Australians and Indonesians and in particular to help revive Indonesian language teaching and learning at all education levels.
helen@australia-indonesia-association.com
Helen Fraser is a Sydney based commercial lawyer with a long executive career in technology businesses. Introduced to Indonesia at a young age, she studied Indonesian language through her school years and as part of a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) at ANU and Sydney University, traveling periodically and maintaining a long personal interest in the country. Helen is keen to foster closer engagement and understanding among Australians and Indonesians and in particular to help revive Indonesian language teaching and learning at all education levels.
Committee
Patrick Mahony
pat.mahony@australia-indonesia-association.com
Pat Mahony was a high school teacher, then a teacher of English as a foreign language (to short term visitors) and English as a Second Language (to migrants and refugees). In between, he taught English in several South East Asian countries, and also India. He has travelled extensively in Indonesia.
Pat taught in a pesantren school in Singosari, near Malang (SMP, lower high school) for two years. He has also taught in other places in Java, as well as Manado and Dili. He has a special interest in addressing the decline in the teaching and learning of Bahasa Indonesia in Australia. He believes that action to address this by Federal and State governments is essential to our vital relationship with the growing economically and strategically important neighbour to our north.
pat.mahony@australia-indonesia-association.com
Pat Mahony was a high school teacher, then a teacher of English as a foreign language (to short term visitors) and English as a Second Language (to migrants and refugees). In between, he taught English in several South East Asian countries, and also India. He has travelled extensively in Indonesia.
Pat taught in a pesantren school in Singosari, near Malang (SMP, lower high school) for two years. He has also taught in other places in Java, as well as Manado and Dili. He has a special interest in addressing the decline in the teaching and learning of Bahasa Indonesia in Australia. He believes that action to address this by Federal and State governments is essential to our vital relationship with the growing economically and strategically important neighbour to our north.
Public Officer Committee & Public Officer
Neil Smith