Celebrating 75 years of Australia-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations and Australian Alumni Awards 2024

The Governor-General of Australia, HE General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and HE Mrs Linda Hurley attended a 15 May Gala Dinner celebrating 75 years of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations and the prestigious 2024 Australian Alumni Awards. More than 200 guests, including Australian alumnus HE Dr Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, also attended.

“This year, we celebrate 75 years of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations and the history of friendship our two countries share. Personal connections between people are at the heart of this friendship, and our alumni community play a large part in fostering these enduring ties,” said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams PSM.

The Australian Alumni Awards are given to alumni who have made exemplary contributions to their profession and community.

The Governor-General, Mrs Hurley, and Coordinating Minister Airlangga presented awards to this year’s winners:

• 2024 Alumni of the Year Award – Ms Meutya Hafid

Meutya Hafid plays a key role in the Indonesian Parliament as Chair of Commission I, covering Foreign Affairs, Defence, Communication and Information issues. She previously worked as a highly successful television journalist and broadcaster. She holds a Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering from the University of New South Wales.

• 2024 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award – Mr Alvin Sariaatmadja

As President Director of Emtek, Alvin Sariaatmadja is a leading figure in the media, digital infrastructure, healthcare and financial services sectors. Emtek operates significant television networks, digital streaming services, e-commerce platforms and healthcare providers. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Finance from the University of New South Wales.

• 2024 Promoting Women’s Empowerment and Social Inclusion Award – Mr Fandy Dawenan

Fandy Dawenan is Chair of the Indonesian Association for the Visually Impaired (Pertuni) in Southwest Papua Province and a teacher at SMAN 10 Raja Ampat. Born with congenital blindness, he strongly advocates for people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on digital literacy and inclusive education. He holds a Masters of Disability Policy and Practice from Flinders University.

The Gala Dinner also featured Australian alumni MCs Marissa Anita and Tommy Tjokro, performances by Ananda Sukarlan and Dian Mega Safitri, and an exhibition on Australia’s support for Indonesia’s independence.

The original article/media release for this news is available on the Australian Embassy in Indonesia’s website.