60th Anniversary Gala Dinner Celebration

The ANU Indonesia Project celebrated six decades of academic excellence and partnership between Australia and Indonesia with a Gala Dinner. The event brought together scholars, alumni, long-standing partners, and friends of the Project for an evening of reflection, connection, and celebration.

The evening began with a video opening from Senator Penny Wong, followed by speeches from distinguished representatives including Steven Kennedy, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; H.E. Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia; Professor Janine O’Flynn, Head of the Crawford School of Public Policy; Mari Pangestu, Indonesian Special Envoy of the President for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation; and Ross Garnaut, senior academic. Their remarks highlighted the enduring collaboration and impact of the ANU Indonesia Project over its 60-year history.

Adding a culturally resonant touch, a special shadow puppet performance celebrated Indonesia’s rich artistic traditions and complemented the evening’s celebratory atmosphere. The Gala Dinner offered an opportunity to honour past achievements, recognize the contributions of alumni and partners, and reaffirm the Project’s ongoing commitment to fostering research, dialogue, and engagement on Indonesia-related scholarship. The evening seamlessly combined networking, celebration, and commemoration of six decades of shared academic endeavour.