Media Release

25 June 2008

Western Australia – East Java Football Friendship Cup

Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer will attend the inaugural Western Australia – East Java Football Friendship Cup in East Java today.

“Playing sport together is a great opportunity to foster a spirit of friendship between our countries. This tournament in particular underlines the important people-to-people links between East Java and Western Australia,” said Ambassador Farmer.

A highlight of the pre-match ceremony will be a performance by young and talented Australian singer and Australian Idol Jessica Mauboy who will open her first tour of Indonesia by singing the Australian national anthem.

With an Indonesian father and Australian mother, Jessica is a living example of the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between Australia and Indonesia.

Jessica’s visit is funded under the Australian Government’s IN2OZ Creative Australia program of cultural diplomacy events in Indonesia throughout 2008.

While in Surabaya, Ambassador Farmer will also launch the Deteksi Basketball League (DBL) - Western Australia Basketball Games 2008 with Azrul Ananda, Commissioner of the Deteksi Basketball League.

The DBL enforces the Student Athlete concept, in which grades in school are as important as, if not more important than, on-court achievements.

“This initiative encourages young Indonesians to pursue their sporting dreams while teaching them that their performance at school should remain the priority,” added Ambassador Farmer.

Media Inquiries:
Fiona Hoggart (Australian Embassy) mob. 0811 936 302