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President - Helen Anderson
My first experience of Indonesia in 1989 was one of warmth and hospitality, which resulted in numerous return visits to Bali, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Lombok to study Indonesian language and culture. In 2005 I completed a Masters degree in Anthropology at Monash University based on fieldwork conducted in Bali. During my candidature I tutored in Indonesian to Australian students and while in Bali taught English to Indonesians, primarily the medical and administrative staff of Sanglah Hospital. As an active AIAV committee member since 2001, including Secretary (2004-2006), my duties have included attending to correspondence and taking minutes, the preparation of bilingual crossword puzzles and articles for the monthly newsletter, organizing cultural exhibitions, AGMs and restaurant dinners with guest speakers and occasionally hosting malam ngobrol. In the past I have also been involved in fundraising efforts to support NGO projects in response to natural disasters in Indonesia. As the current President of AIAV my primary goal is to support the aim of the association, which is to promote goodwill between Australia and Indonesia.
Indonesian Vice President - Tata Survi
Tata was born and bred in Jogjakarta, Java. After graduating from de Britto College, he became a student at Sanata Dharma University, majoring in English Education, where he first became fascinated by teaching languages. Whilst still a student he taught English and literacy in a wide variety of settings, from classes for becak drivers and street kids in Jogjakarta, to executives of banks and large corporations. In between times, he also found time to teach at SMU 11 in Jogjakarta.
He arrived in Australia in 2002 and since then has taught Indonesian in both the state and private systems, as well as for AIAV. He has been a committee member of AIAV for a number of years. Tata is the driving force behind the AIAV immersion course for adults run in Jogjakarta in connection with Pandu Language School, and as an inaugural director of IndoAustay Limited, he was a member of the team that brought about the first student exchange to Jogjakarta from December 2008 to mid-January 2009.
Australian Vice President - Lester Levinson
Born at Second World War's end, Lester graduated in arts at the University of WA and in business administration at the University of Melbourne. He has worked in the UK, Indonesian and Germany in the telecommunications and metals trading sectors. He started Indonesian language study with ABC Radio classes, followed by AIAV's evening sessions in the early 1970s and attendance much later of a month-long intensive Indonesian course in 1988 at Salatiga. When he and his wife Francoise, returned to Australia in 1976, they set up their own business, which gave them a new focus on consumer goods and veterinary pharmaceutical importing and distribution, and extending to export of raw and intermediate materials as well as some construction equipment. He and Francoise have a son, who with their daughter-in-law, lives and works in France.
Lester's interest in joining the AIAV committee in 2004 was to establish a secondary school student exchange scheme between Australia and Indonesia, this being conducted by AIAV through IndoAustay Limited of which he is an inaugural director. The first such exchange is occuring in Jogjakarta from December 2008 to mid-January 2009. He also assists in the administration of the AIAV language classes, as well as participating for good measure. 'One never stops learning!'
Secretary - Prue Price
 My first visit to Indonesia in 1972 sparked a continuing interest in all things Indonesian, but it wasn't until 1989 that I began studying Indonesian in order to introduce it at the school where I was teaching. Beginning with an intensive course in Salatiga, Central Java, I went on to complete a Bachelor of Education (LOTE-Indonesian) at LaTrobe University and have taught Indonesian at all levels at secondary school since then. Taking groups of students to Bali, travelling to different provinces with family and friends, hosting exchange teachers and students both at school and in my home meant that after nearly fifteen years of teaching Indonesian I wanted to go and live there. In 2005 and 2006 I worked in Java with the Australian Volunteers International program Islamic Schools English Language Project, and enjoyed being part of a neighbourhood community in the 'perumahan' where I rented a house. The teachers I worked with there loved doing the AIA crossword puzzles. I have been a member of the Yarragam gamelan orchestra since it formed ten years ago, and since my return from Indonesia I have worked with the Department of Education as the Indonesian Language Advisor with the LOTE (Languages Other Than English) unit.
Treasurer - Meta Smith
I was born in Manado, North Sulawesi where I spent my childhood. My family moved to Makassar (Ujung Pandang), South Sulawesi where I completed high school. I won a Colombo Plan scholarship in Australia and graduated in Commerce from RMIT. I worked as an accountant in Indonesia and Australia, lived in Nepal, Somalia, and recently France over many years. Now that I am retired I hope to assist AIA in the treasury function and contribute to other activities of the organisation.
Committee Member - Karina Noontil
I’m half Indonesian but wasn’t brought up with any real Indonesian culture or language. My first visit to Indonesia was 3 days in Medan, North Sumatra, as a 17 year old with my family. It was fascinating but I was frustrated at having to wait for Dad’s translations, so when my cousins asked if I would come back I replied, “Only when I can speak the language!” In adulthood I finally sought out this side of my heritage by learning the language and taking numerous trips to Indonesia, including spending 18 months there teaching English. I am always looking towards my next trip (there or somewhere else) and this is one of the reasons I qualified to teach English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) as this is a good way to be paid to travel. I teach Indonesian and Italian as well, mostly at the lower secondary level.
I joined AIA as a language-learning strategy because the Malam Ngobrols were fantastic for that. I quickly volunteered to be a driver for the Indonesian guests as I realised that this gave me extra practice opportunities. I then became a bit of a tour guide for them and we progressed to Aussie BBQs, with rice of course, Indonesian home cooked dinners and lots of assistance with English for their studies. When I ended up on the committee I began by helping to organise the MNs, some social/fundraising activities and then the Language Classes. I have escaped overseas and interstate three times to teach English but they won’t really let me escape the committee.
Currently I’m part of the social and exchange sub-committees. I’m “chief raffle organiser” by default and I also really enjoy my role of taste tester at new restaurants so we can organise the dinners! However the challenge will be to entice schools to participate in this year’s Southbound Exchange in June/July, get the Activities Weekend happening and find some venues for MNs and encourage more of the Language Class students to attend!
I would like to see AIA continue to grow and flourish because we are developing friendships between people from different nations and cultures and generally being neighbourly and this can only benefit all of us in the long run. Every little bit does help you know! What our governments may not be able to do, we can do on a more personal, individual level.
Committee Member - Clinton Moore
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Clinton has experience living in and travelling to a number of parts in Asia, but he has always kept a soft spot in his heart for Australia's neighbour and friend, Indonesia. He has only travelled to Java but hopes to cover more of the archipalego in future trips.
Clinton joined the association in early 2010, as a means to get closer to the Indonesian community in Victoria and to give something to the Australia-Indonesia relationship. He immediately offered his services and time to the organisation, and very quickly took up a place on AIAV’s Exchange Subcommittee, which was looking forward to its inaugural Southbound Exchange of Indonesian children from June 2010. Since taking membership of the Exchange Subcommittee, Clinton has assisted IndoAustay in the organisation and administration of both Southbound and Northbound Exchanges, and enjoyed the company of many other AIAV members with accompanying coffee or delicious Indonesian food. In his academic life, he has written papers about urbanisation in Jakarta, AusAID Development Scholarships for Indonesians, and conflict in Sulawesi. Recently he has taken a strong interest in Indonesian colonial history.
A keen student of globalisation and Australia’s place within Asia, Clinton believes that increased engagement between the peoples of Australia and Indonesia can break down barriers and bring the two nations closer together.
A passion for community and people, Clinton is currently completing his Honours in International Studies at RMIT University.
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Committee Member - Lesley Hutchison
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My interest in Indonesia and Indonesian Language started in Year 8. I had the most wonderful Indonesian teachers, Bu Edwards and Pak Lowry. Learning Indonesian was one of the best experiences during my school years. It has opened my eyes to different cultures. This exposure to an Asian culture has led onto studying other languages. Currently, I am an adhoc learner of Chinese! So I can emphasise with adult beginners to language learning. I love teaching Indonesian, so if you are one of the fortunate language students out there with an enthusiastic LOTE teacher make the most of as it, as it will open doors you do not know exist!
I joined the AIAV to keep up my Indonesian language skills. Since becoming an AIAV member, I have joined the Education subcommittee. I assist with the AIAV Exchange Program and AIAV Immersion course for adults and secondary students held in Jogjakarta/Bandung, Java.
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Committee Member - Robert Wesutan
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I have known of AIAV since 2006. I joined as a member and the committee in 2010. I was born and grew up in Ambon, later I moved to Surabaya for university studies. Then I moved to Melbourne for further studies i.e. accounting. As an Indonesian, I am always thrilled every time I meet Australians who are interested in travelling around Indonesia, who like Indonesian cuisine or who are interested in Indonesian culture and history. I especially enjoy meeting Australians who speak Indonesian or who are learning Indonesian. I am passionate to see and promote more and more opportunities where the entire Indonesian archipelago will become the destination of choice for Australians, just as Bali is now.
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Webmaster - Phil Baddock
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In 2007 I headed to Bali for some R&R as many Australian's do, and fell in love with the place, the people, the culture, the language and everything else about Indonesia. Shortly afterward, I setup an IT Oursourcing operation in Bali working with my Web Development business in Melbourne (I figured that would be nicer to visit than Mumbai!) but it wasn't until I met and married my Indonesian wife Cicih (who is from Java) that I really got to know the real Indonesia from spending time and living in Cicih's village in the volcanic hills of Central Java.
I became involved with the AIAV shortly after visiting Bali for the first time, initially in order to learn Bahasa Indonesia and also to get involved with the Indonesian community in Melbourne. I consolidated my language skills from home tuition with my wife (and from the "Learning Indonesian" website), and further private study to the point where I can converse (functionally, if not fluently) with our staff in Bali, and my in-law's in Indonesia. I joined the committee of the AIAV in order to assist with sprucing up the website, and starting to use Social Media and other online resources to help further the goals of the association - and generally to try to help out and give something back to AIAV member community.
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