Archived Media Release
31 August 2006
Australian Ambassador Introduces Newly Accredited Honorary Consul to West Sumatra
Today, the Australian Ambassador, Mr Bill Farmer, visited Padang to introduce the newly accredited Australian Honorary Consul to West Sumatra, Mr Mick Stevens.
“Mr Stevens is concurrently Honorary Consul to North Sumatra and he played a major role in assisting the Australian Embassy in Jakarta coordinate the arrival and transfer of urgently needed relief efforts after the 2004 Tsunami,” said Mr Farmer.
“Mr Stevens will provide a valuable link to the Embassy in Jakarta for the Australian communities in North and West Sumatra,” said Mr Farmer.
In Padang, Mr Farmer will speak at the Andalas University on its 50th anniversary and pay special recognition to those students and academics involved in Australian Studies there.
“We are countries with differing cultures and traditions,” said Mr Farmer. “The Australian Government actively seeks to deepen mutual understanding through encouraging cultural, people-to-people and educational relationships and activities.”
“Australia’s education links with Indonesia date back fifty years to the Colombo Plan,” said Mr Farmer. There are currently 16,000 Indonesian students studying in Australia. Mr Farmer’s visit caps off a week-long promotion in West Sumatra of educational opportunities in Australia by officials from Australia’s Department Education Science and Training.
The Ambassador will also tour the new library and resource centre at the Andalas University.
Further information:
Mubarok (0811993306)
Ira Hermosa (Education – 0818177271)