On Tuesday 2nd August 2016, the Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) held a 20th anniversary cocktail event at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, at the University of Western Australia, Perth.
The evening was attended by federal Members of Parliament: Ms Madeleine King MP and Mr Matthew Keogh MP, Members of the Parliament of Western Australia: Mr Peter Tinley AM MLA, Ms Susan Ellery MLC, Ms Kate Doust MLC, Mr Bill Johnston MLA, and Ms Janine Freeman MLA, Bapak Ade Padmo Sarwono, the Indonesian Consul-General Perth, ACICIS alumni from 1995 through to 2016, ACICIS member university representatives and Pro-Vice Chancellors, and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The event was opened by Mr Iain Watt, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of Western Australia, who officially welcomed ACICIS to our new home at the University of Western Australia. Professor David T Hill AM, ACICIS Consortium Director, followed Mr Watt, acknowledging the University of Western Australia’s as the new host of ACICIS, and thanking Murdoch University for its support over the previous 20 years as host of the consortium. Prof Hill offered his insights into the challenges for the organisation as we move into our third decade.
“The challenge for our 3rd decade is to make Indonesia a logical destination for non-Arts students. In addition to a new Creative Arts and Design Professional Practicum next January, this month we are embarking on our first science semester program — in Agriculture – and later this year an innovative 2-week study tour in Public Health. We see potential too in areas as diverse as tropical medicine, veterinary science, marine sciences, sustainability, vulcanology, architecture, and a long list of other fields, relevant to Indonesia and beneficial for Australian students.”
Bapak Ade Padmo Sarwono, the Indonesian Consul-General to Western Australia, followed Prof Hill, and acknowledged the contributions of ACICIS to the Australia-Indonesia relationship. This was followed by a short break for refreshments, before leading into a speech by Peter Tinley AM MLA, the Shadow Minister for Asian Engagement and the Member for Willagee. Mr Tinley thanked Prof Hill for his huge contribution to the development of ACICIS and to the development of an Asia-ready Western Australia. Mr Tinley also outlined his belief that language study is crucial in facilitating our trade and employment needs over the coming decades.
The final speech of the evening was delivered by Dylan Lipinski, an alumnus of ACICIS’ inaugural semester of 1995 at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta. Dylan now works as the General Manager of Strategic Projects at the Western Australian Department of State Development. Dylan spoke about the importance of ACICIS’ role as a bridge builder for students wishing to undertake study in Indonesia, and in facilitating greater understanding of Indonesian culture and language.
The event was brought to a close with the cutting of the Nasi Tumpeng, a traditional Indonesian dish that is featured at many ceremonies in Indonesia is used to celebrate important events. It features a cone of rive with side dishes and the tip of the rice is cut off, equivalent to an Australian cutting of a cake.
As part of the 20th anniversary year, ACICIS also held three events in 2015. An evening cocktail event in Melbourne, a celebration and reunion weekend in Yogyakarta, and an event in Canberra at Parliament House. ACICIS also commissioned past ACICIS student Jimmy Walsh (Semester 26/Feb 2008 & Semester 27/Aug 2008) to create two videos, to commemorate two of these events.
Here is the video showcasing the Yogyakarta weekend:
Here is the video showcasing the evening in Canberra:
ACICIS would like to thank all of our alumni, supporters, and staff for their support during our 20th year celebrations, and together we look forward to the next 20 years of ACICIS.