Media Release
24 October 2025
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier, visited Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province and Manado and Tomohon, North Sulawesi Province from 22-24 October 2025. Ambassador Brazier was accompanied by Australian Consul-General in Makassar, Todd Dias, and Australian Defence Attaché Brigadier Micah Batt.
Ambassador Brazier was welcomed by the the Governor of Gorontalo, Gusnar Ismail at the Governor’s Command Center to see firsthand how the Synergy and Collaboration to Accelerate Basic Services (SKALA) program is strengthening institutional capacity for data governance in the province.
“Australia is pleased to support One Data Indonesia to strengthen data networks through innovative approaches that can be applied to local challenges,” said Ambassador Brazier.
While in Gorontalo, Ambassador Brazier met with a group of Australian alumni over lunch at the alumni-owned Everyday Coffee and visited an Australian Direct Aid Program corn agriculture project in Iloponu Village.
In Manado, Ambassador Brazier met with the Deputy Governor of North Sulawesi, Victor Mailangkay and the Mayor of Manado, Andrei Angouw, to discuss cooperation between Australia and Manado in a variety of sectors such as tourism and higher education.
He also met with members of the Manly Manado Society and Bridge of Hope groups, and learnt about how Australian alumni are strengthening people-to-people links between Australia and Manado.
Ambassador Brazier’s visit to Manado also celebrated the strong educational ties between Indonesia and Australia. He delivered a guest lecture in Universitas Sam Ratulangi (UNSRAT) and visited SMP Lokon St Nikolaus Tomohon, which participates in the Australia-Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program.
“It is a privilege to meet people with strong ties to Australia and see the work they are doing to build even deeper connections between Australia and Indonesia,” Ambassador Brazier added.
He concluded his trip by visiting a mushroom farm, participating in an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project to enhance food security and create inclusive economic opportunities for rural communities.
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Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kedubesaustralia/albums/72177720329890109