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
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Committee
The Committee is elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. This is the current 2023-24 Committee.
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President
Pat Hanna
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.
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
Romie Sofiati Dulman (Sofie)
Sofie is a senior safety advisor, with twenty years experience in oil & gas industry.
She holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, a Master of Occupational, Health and Safety (MOHS) from Indonesia University, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia.
She guides enterprises on their safety management journey. Sofie consults Australian small-medium enterprises to setup professional safety processes. She also helps Indonesian companies wishing to extend in Australia with the local Australian safety-related regulations. She is very active in the Indonesian-Australian business and cultural communities. A special focus goes to Indonesian women empowerment and multicultural integration.
Sofie joined the AIA NSW committee in May 2021, has served on Communication and Marketing Subcommittee and was elected as Vice President in Feb 2022.
Sofie is a senior safety advisor, with twenty years experience in oil & gas industry.
She holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, a Master of Occupational, Health and Safety (MOHS) from Indonesia University, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia.
She guides enterprises on their safety management journey. Sofie consults Australian small-medium enterprises to setup professional safety processes. She also helps Indonesian companies wishing to extend in Australia with the local Australian safety-related regulations. She is very active in the Indonesian-Australian business and cultural communities. A special focus goes to Indonesian women empowerment and multicultural integration.
Sofie joined the AIA NSW committee in May 2021, has served on Communication and Marketing Subcommittee and was elected as Vice President in Feb 2022.
Vice President 2
Isla Winarto
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.
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.
Secretary & Education Coordinator
Michael Kramer
Michael is a retired chemical engineer who has lived in Indonesia for 10 years. His jobs with Dow Chemical there included plant engineer, project manager and operations manager. He has lived in Medan, Cilegon and Jakarta, and travelled widely, from Aceh to Papua.
Michael is married to Tini who hails from Siantar in North Sumatra. They have 3 adult children. Michael passionately believes that Australia needs to develop more young people with a knowledge and interest in Indonesia. Hence his interest in the teaching of Bahasa Indonesia in schools. He is also very interested in the history of Indonesia, particularly wherever there is an Australian connection. He visits Indonesia 2 or 3 times a year to pursue various history related activities and to maintain contacts.
Michael is a retired chemical engineer who has lived in Indonesia for 10 years. His jobs with Dow Chemical there included plant engineer, project manager and operations manager. He has lived in Medan, Cilegon and Jakarta, and travelled widely, from Aceh to Papua.
Michael is married to Tini who hails from Siantar in North Sumatra. They have 3 adult children. Michael passionately believes that Australia needs to develop more young people with a knowledge and interest in Indonesia. Hence his interest in the teaching of Bahasa Indonesia in schools. He is also very interested in the history of Indonesia, particularly wherever there is an Australian connection. He visits Indonesia 2 or 3 times a year to pursue various history related activities and to maintain contacts.
Treasurer
Sri May
Sri’s background is in Accounting, Event, and Data Management, currently running her online business A-I Directory and working for the Australian Dental Association. She was the Admin Officer of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) for 9 years. .
Her involvement in regional business in Indonesia and Australia since 1990 included the organisation of a series of successful bilateral trade shows. She hopes her experience will help her to contribute to the AIA in general and her favourite quote is: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade, and the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” – John F Kennedy
Sri’s background is in Accounting, Event, and Data Management, currently running her online business A-I Directory and working for the Australian Dental Association. She was the Admin Officer of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) for 9 years. .
Her involvement in regional business in Indonesia and Australia since 1990 included the organisation of a series of successful bilateral trade shows. She hopes her experience will help her to contribute to the AIA in general and her favourite quote is: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade, and the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” – John F Kennedy
Committee Member & Events Coordinator
Eric de Haas
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.
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 Member
Megan Lavender
Megan is a stakeholder, engagement and membership expert with a strong background in corporate governance. Her experience extends particularly across the not-for-profit and government sectors holding senior management roles from corporate affairs to CFO, CEO, company secretary and governance officer.
A Life Member of the AIA, she has served in various capacities within the Association, starting from high school and is the Association's first female President. Her deep love of Indonesia extends to a language teaching qualification and a small angklung as well as wayang kulit collection which she would love to have time to Expand.
As an adept company Board Director Megan has significant experience in working with Boards, including as a Board Chair, Treasurer, Governance Committee Chair and Marketing and Business Development Committee Member which she now brings back to the Association that has always been in her heart.
Megan is a stakeholder, engagement and membership expert with a strong background in corporate governance. Her experience extends particularly across the not-for-profit and government sectors holding senior management roles from corporate affairs to CFO, CEO, company secretary and governance officer.
A Life Member of the AIA, she has served in various capacities within the Association, starting from high school and is the Association's first female President. Her deep love of Indonesia extends to a language teaching qualification and a small angklung as well as wayang kulit collection which she would love to have time to Expand.
As an adept company Board Director Megan has significant experience in working with Boards, including as a Board Chair, Treasurer, Governance Committee Chair and Marketing and Business Development Committee Member which she now brings back to the Association that has always been in her heart.
Committee member
Steve Khouw
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.
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 Member
Neil Smith
Neil Smith has run his own construction company for over 30 years. His interest in Indonesia started back in 1983 travelling through Indonesia as a tourist, where he met his Indonesian wife in Yogyakarta.
He has been involved with the Australia Indonesia Association since joining in 1985. He became Vice President in 1986, then President the following year. He has served several terms as President and Vice President, and is the current President of AIA. Neil has been an adviser to several organisations including the Department Education’s Asian Studies Advisory Panel, and the NSW Ethnic Affairs’ Asian panel.
He is particularly interested in history, including the history of Australia Indonesia relations, and also the local history of the Parramatta and Blacktown areas. He has been active within the Parramatta Historical Society for many years, has been Vice President of the Blacktown and District Historical Society for 15 years, and President for the last 2 years.
Neil Smith has run his own construction company for over 30 years. His interest in Indonesia started back in 1983 travelling through Indonesia as a tourist, where he met his Indonesian wife in Yogyakarta.
He has been involved with the Australia Indonesia Association since joining in 1985. He became Vice President in 1986, then President the following year. He has served several terms as President and Vice President, and is the current President of AIA. Neil has been an adviser to several organisations including the Department Education’s Asian Studies Advisory Panel, and the NSW Ethnic Affairs’ Asian panel.
He is particularly interested in history, including the history of Australia Indonesia relations, and also the local history of the Parramatta and Blacktown areas. He has been active within the Parramatta Historical Society for many years, has been Vice President of the Blacktown and District Historical Society for 15 years, and President for the last 2 years.
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Committee Member
Sisca Haskew
Sisca has worked with many schools across Australia, the Indonesian Government, NSW Government as well as Sydney City and Marrickville Councils. She has her own art, culture dance and music business.
In 2014, Sisca created and directed a dance theatre production entitled Sita Struggle and Triumph which was held at the Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville. The cast numbered 70 artists reaching from a choir, a poet as well as Indian and Indonesian dancers.
Sisca established her own dance school at the Indonesian Consulate NSW in 2007 and again in 2022. In that capacity, She taught elementary and introductory aspects of Indonesian and Balinese dances. Sisca has also provided regular support to the NSW Conservatorium of Music through dance performance accompanying international music recitals. In 2014, Sisca danced for the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra at the National Gallery of Australia. In 2023, she was the Showcase leader for major performance at the National Multicultural Festival.
Sisca has worked with many schools across Australia, the Indonesian Government, NSW Government as well as Sydney City and Marrickville Councils. She has her own art, culture dance and music business.
In 2014, Sisca created and directed a dance theatre production entitled Sita Struggle and Triumph which was held at the Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville. The cast numbered 70 artists reaching from a choir, a poet as well as Indian and Indonesian dancers.
Sisca established her own dance school at the Indonesian Consulate NSW in 2007 and again in 2022. In that capacity, She taught elementary and introductory aspects of Indonesian and Balinese dances. Sisca has also provided regular support to the NSW Conservatorium of Music through dance performance accompanying international music recitals. In 2014, Sisca danced for the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra at the National Gallery of Australia. In 2023, she was the Showcase leader for major performance at the National Multicultural Festival.
Committee Member
Graham Ireland
Graham is an Environmental Consultant, SCUBA Diving Instructor and Educator, with degrees in Biology, Earth Science and Education.
His research interests include the Biogeography Of ‘Wallacaea’ and the evolution and dispersion of Hominids through the Indonesian archipelago and Australia. Graham has travelled extensively throughout Indonesia and tries to spend around 4 to 6 months of each year in the region. He is also a Life member of the AIA and has served as Vice President and Editor of the AIA news letter ‘Kabar’.
Graham is an Environmental Consultant, SCUBA Diving Instructor and Educator, with degrees in Biology, Earth Science and Education.
His research interests include the Biogeography Of ‘Wallacaea’ and the evolution and dispersion of Hominids through the Indonesian archipelago and Australia. Graham has travelled extensively throughout Indonesia and tries to spend around 4 to 6 months of each year in the region. He is also a Life member of the AIA and has served as Vice President and Editor of the AIA news letter ‘Kabar’.
Public Officer Public Officer
John Luxton
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