Fajarasia,co – The Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN) Victoria presents an exhibition to remember the role of the Indonesian diaspora and Australia’s support for Indonesia’s struggle to defend its independence against the Dutch attempt to re-colonize Indonesia in 1945-1950.
In the exhibition, the Indonesian Consul General in Melbourne, Kuncoro Giri Waseso, officially opened the exhibition on Friday, 27 May 2022, by ringing the gong, an Indonesian musical instrument used in Javanese gamelan.
“Personally, this exhibition is meaningful. The historical content in the exhibition is so little known to many that the relationship between Indonesia and Australia can be traced far back. before the modern era,” Kuncoro said at the opening attended by Mr. Bwe Thay, Deputy Chair of the Multicultural Commission of Victoria, Anthony Liem, Historian and member of the Royal Historical Society, Sydney Australia, and Frank McGuire, Member of the State Parliament of Victoria.
Kuncoro said this exhibition was important to educate the public about forgotten history.
Meanwhile, Mr Thay commented on the opening ceremony and encouraged everyone to come because
“This exhibition is very educational, and I enjoyed the dance performances. This is really beautiful and represents a multicultural background,” he explained in a release received by the Editor, Monday (30/5/2022).
The exhibition includes, among other things, correspondence between Indonesian President Sukarno and the Australian Prime Minister, photographs, visual historiographical documents, personal stories and archival materials.
Then there was also the screening of the film Indonesia Calling (1946) directed by Joris Ivens. This documentary explores the refusal of sailors and seaside workers to service the Dutch ship known as the Black Armada, which contained weapons and ammunition to be brought in to attack Indonesia. This exhibition is also equipped with a storytelling corner and cultural performances.
Indonesia Diaspora Network Victoria (IDN VIC) is a non-profit organization for all Indonesian Diaspora in Victoria, Australia. As part of a global network, IDN VIC provides a voice and media for communities concerned with Indonesia’s development and channeling the aspirations of the Indonesian diaspora to embrace Australian multiculturalism.
The exhibition is open to the public for three days, 27-29 May 2022, and is very accessible due to the location of the Immigration Museum (Flinders Street, 400, Melbourne) in the center of Melbourne.
The exhibition was flooded with Indonesian and Australian people, diaspora, friends of Indonesia, as well as Australian students and students learning about Indonesia.****
