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The Bahasa-Indonesia-Speaking Community in Australia The Indonesian archipelago consists of more than 13,000 islands. On 17 August 1945 Indonesia proclaimed her independence from the colonial power of the Dutch after more than 350 years, when it was known as the Dutch East Indies. Bahasa-Indonesia is the official language, however, there are more than 500 dialects spoken in the region. Bahasa is very similar to the Malay language. Arrival and Settlement Until the 1940s the majority of Indonesian residents in Australia were in Western Australia, working in the pearling industry. Then, in 1942, Australia welcomed the Dutch who were fleeing the Japanese occupation of their colony and who established the Dutch East Indies' government-in-exile in Brisbane during the Second World War. Approximately 4,000 people arrived in Australia from Indonesia at this time. Apart from officials and army personnel there were also a number of former political prisoners who, once freed, began a campaign on Australian soil for Indonesian independence. They - and supporters of the cause in Indonesia itself - achieved their goal in December, 1949 when Indonesia became an independent country. Census figures reveal that by 1961 there were just over 6,000 Indonesian-speakers in Australia. The 1970s saw a new surge in migration from Indonesia. This was fed, in part, by East Timorese seeking refuge from the Indonesian invasion and annexation of the former Portuguese colony in 1975/1976. The fast moving events in the region and accelerating political change in Indonesia makes SBS Radio's Indonesian Language Program an important link for Indonesians who have chosen Australia as their new home. Community Contacts There are many organisations that represent the Indonesian speaking community. Here is a list of some of them. Indonesian Embassy 8 Darwin Ave., Yarralumla, ACT 2600 P.O. Box 616, Kingston, ACT 2604 Phone 02 6250 8600 Fax 02 6273 6017 Website: www.kbri-canberra.org.au Victoria Australian - Indonesian Association of Victoria Inc. PO Box 527 East Melbourne Vic 8002 contact@softfish.com.au 0418 534 764 IKAWIRIA - Indonesian Community Association of Victoria P.O. Box 479 Glen Waverley, VIC 3150 Phone 03 9560 7804 Fax 03 9562 0260 PERWIRA - Indonesian Society of Victoria Inc. P.O. Box 71 Nunawading, VIC 3131 Phone 0438 655 270 Fax 03 5979 8021 Website http://www.perwira.com.au/ YAYASAN SUARA INDEPENDEN Independent Voice Foundation P.O. Box 173 Surrey Hills, VIC 3127 Phone 03 9419 4504 Fax 03 9416 2746 PIA 6 Taldra Crt Belmont VIC 3216 New South Wales Indonesian Welfare Association 45 Belmore Rd Burwood, NSW 2134 P.O. Box 6143 Baulklham Hills Business Centre, NSW 2153 Website: IWA Inc Email IWA Inc Australia Indonesia Association of N.S.W. G.P.O. Box 802 Sydney NSW 2000 Phone 02 9635 4186 Perhimpunan Indonesia Inc. 31 Lucinda Rd. Eastwood NSW 2122 Phone 02 9878 4450 Special Events Calendar SBS Radio Indonesia Language Program presents special coverage of these and other important events throughout the year. January 1 New Year January 26 Australia Day April 25 ANZAC Day August 17 Indonesian Independence Day The program also observes Idul Fitri, Idul Adha, Christmas, Easter, New Year and Chinese New Year to reflect the country's main religious faiths, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Recommended Websites www.kompas.com Site for the Kompas newspaper, also gives links to other Indonesian publications. All in publications are in Indonesian www.indomedia.com.au Indomedia - Contemporary Indo Tabloid in Oz www.buletinindo.com.au Buletin Indonesia - Australian Monthly Magazine www.elshinta.com Radio Elshinta - Jakarta indoesia www.kbr68h.com Radio kbr68H - Jakarta Indonesia |
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