As close neighbour countries, Australia and Indonesia have been fostering a long and colourful relationship for many years. This friendship extends to various fields, including education, tourism, art and culture. The new campaign called #AussieBanget aims to further promote all things Australian beyond the stereotypical barbecue, beaches and kangaroos to the Indonesian people through a series of events.

Paul Grigson, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, launched the campaign together with Australian alumni VJ Daniel Mananta and the Chairman of Badan Ekonomi Kreatif (Bekraf) Triawan Munaf on 31 January at the Australian Embassy.

The launch featured an elegant fashion show presenting the oeuvres of two fashion designers, namely Jaimie Sortino and Sally Koeswanto, who each presented three stunning gowns. Jaimie Sortino, winner of the 2010 Adelaide Fashion Festival Emerging Designer Award also participated in the opening of Indonesia Fashion Week 2017 (1-5 February). During the event, organizers also introduced Chef Yulius Novin who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Sydney majoring in Commercial Cookery and presented his culinary creations to the attendees.

#AussieBanget will present the best of Australia in the months to come – from concerts and filmscreenings to fashion shows, dance performances, science, design and digital art.

Furthermore, the Indonesia Australian Business Week which last year drew more than 360 business people to Jakarta, will again be held from 6 to 10 March and enable participants to negotiate partnership arrangements and find new markets for Australian and Indonesian products and services.

Sari Widiati

Sari Widiati

Sari has been an arts and culture enthusiast for many years. She has written extensively on the arts, travel, and social issues as Features Writer at NOW! Jakarta.