Australian Ambassador Visits Yogyakarta

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Paul Grigson, will travel to Yogyakarta today to meet with business and political leaders, and to explore educational exchanges and cultural links.

Ambassador Grigson will open the exhibition the Black Armada, a joint historical display between Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney and Benteng Vredeburg Museum, which depicts the support of Australian ship workers for Indonesian independence.

He will also visit Sasana Integrasi dan Advokasi Difabel which is a strong advocate for people with disabilities, and the Aisyiyah organisation, which works to empower women. Both programs are supported through the Australian Government’s development program.

Ambassador Grigson said the region is well known for producing quality university graduates and so is the natural choice for hundreds of Australian students studying in Yogyakarta under the New Colombo Plan and other educational exchange programs.

“I look forward to meeting the many Australian alumni working in the region. A great number are using their Australian qualifications in senior positions in government, at universities, and in business,” Ambassador Grigson said.

During the visit Mr Grigson will also present an original batik to Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. The Yirrkala Aboriginal Batik project is a partnership between the Yirrkala Arts Centre from North East Arnhem Land and a traditional batik-making business in Pekalongan, Central Java.

Media Enquiries:
Wilda Anggraeni, 08118497590 [email protected]