Media Release
6 September 2024
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams PSM visited Makassar, South Sulawesi on 5-6 September 2024.
While in Makassar, Ambassador Williams together with the Australian Consul-General in Makassar Todd Dias met with the Mayor of Makassar Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto, Rector of Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) Prof Jamaluddin Jompa, as well as Australian alumni. She also visited the UNHAS Disability Centre and Australia-Indonesia Centre office, which is the Indonesian headquarters for the Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research (PAIR).
“Two years ago, I accompanied Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when he visited UNHAS and it is great to be back again,” said Ambassador Williams.
“This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations, but the relationship between Makassar and northern Australia dates back hundreds of years. Prime Minister Albanese referred to this historic relationship when he visited Makassar in 2022.”
Accompanied by the Regent of Maros Andi Syafril Chaidir Syam and members of the Australia-Indonesia archaeological team, Ambassador Penny Williams also visited Taman Arkeologi Leang Leang in the Maros-Pangkep Geopark, South Sulawesi.
“I am so pleased to see Australian and Indonesian archaeologists working together and receiving international acclaim for their research that has identified the world’s oldest cave art here at the Maros-Pangkep Geopark,” said Ambassador Williams.
“Australia was proud to support Indonesia’s successful effort to designate this historic site as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023. Now we are funding work to develop comic books designed to educate children about the cultural and scientific knowledge of this wonderful Geopark,” said Ambassador Williams.
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Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kedubesaustralia/albums/72177720320103816/