Radio Kookaburra Promoting Australia-Indonesia Ties

Scholarships, Islamic banking, food tasting and sister-school partnerships have featured in the launch today of a new radio program aimed at showcasing the extensive people-to-people links between Australia and Indonesia.

Radio Kookaburra, named after the native Australian kingfisher bird popularly known for its raucous laugh, is a monthly series of short feature stories covering themes such as sport, art, culture, education, business and development assistance.

“There are many unique stories about the friendship and collaboration between our two countries as a result of the wide range of activities and exchanges,” Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said.

“This program allows us to share these stories with a wide audience in Indonesia, particularly in the provincial areas where Australia and Indonesia are working together to improve the livelihoods and opportunities of local communities,” Mr Farmer said.

“This month’s program, for example, features the work being down under the A$100 million Australia-Indonesia Partnership for HIV to combat the spread of HIV in Indonesia and improve the quality of life for those living with the virus,” Farmer said.

The launch of Radio Kookaburra follows the Australia-Indonesia Relations: Partners in a New Era Conference held in Sydney earlier this year which brought together some 140 Australian and Indonesian representatives across government, civil society, business, media, youth and the arts to look at ways to strengthen the relationship into the future.

Conference participants highlighted the need to enhance people-to-people linkages and increase understanding among each other’s countries, particularly through the media.

“We are proud of the important role that individuals and exchanges play in building real bonds of friendship between Australia and Indonesia and, as close neighbours, this program helps spread the message of our partnership and shared interests,” Farmer said.

Radio Kookaburra is presented in Bahasa Indonesia and distributed to more than 70 radio stations throughout Indonesia as well as being available on the Australian Embassy website at: http://www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au.

Media Enquiries:
Jenny Dee, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175