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Work For the Dole - Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance 2004.
Sponsored by Ballina Employment and Training and DEWR
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Left to right: Daniel, Michael, Brian, Rob, Radha, Ishta. |
AIAA is very happy that once again the work for the dole has commenced in February in the bright new premises in Bayshore Drive, Byron Industrial Estate. A new group of participants has now joined the team who are very enthusiastic about the project, have a wide variety of skills to offer and are willing to learn more. Included in the training are web-design, event organizing, digital photography, computer graphics and radio work.
The AIAA Work of the dole Team have supported various AIAA projects during the last three years such as the AIAA web-site, Inspirasi On-line Magazine, Australia Indonesia Poetry Exchange and Artists-in-Residence Projects.
The WFD team also support activities of the AIAA NSW North Coast Branch such as Suara Indonesia Radio Show, Indonesian Musician-in-Residence projects, performances, classes, school visits and other local Indonesian cultural activities. Last year local activities have also included support for the Byron Loves Bali Group, which has raised over $12,000 in aid for Bali and has now proposed a Sister-town relationship between Byron Bay and Ubud in Bali.
The WFD project has been divided into: Website Design, Suara Indonesia Radio Show, Fundraising and computer work on Tuesdays; Cultural projects, Event Management,Inspirasi Magazine and Promotion on Wednesdays. Other work/skill development areas are – community development, office skills and administration, written and verbal communication. AIAA considers that the project has so far been successful both in terms of providing worthwhile training and work experience to the participants and through the wonderful support provided to the organization.
One of the events planned for this year is The Balinese Extravaganza
which is to be held in Byron High School this June and will include
performers, musicians and martial arts from Bali, a wide variety of
displays and will give a slide show and talk on Balinese culture. All
the new members of WFD are involved and are very excited to be a part
of it.
A garage sale and raffle was held recently, which raised $400 towards
the AIAA office and gamelan, which is located in St. Finbarr’s School.
The team did a great job in organising and advertising the event. A
big thanks to you all.
WFD Team Members include:
WFD Volunteers
Radha Koch
Radha Koch is a musician and member of the Langsen Sari Gamelan in Byron
Bay. A local of Byron Bay for the past sixteen years Radha has been
twice to Bali in the 80's. She loved the Hindu influence in the visual
arts, dance and worship. Also the beautiful expression of it in daily
life and the physical environment. Radha studied flute, vocals and keyboard
at Conservatoriums in Sydney and later in Lismore.
Her work with the AIAA project is strongly linked to her musical experience
and possibly leading to a dream project of her own to travel to Indonesia
and record indigenous musicians playing local music.
Learning the history and cultural context of Indonesian musical styles
is part of the fulfilment of this project.
Michael Flatt
Michael’s interests lie in visual arts, ceramics and anything relating
to the rich diversity of Indonesian culture. He would like to organise
and promote the Indonesian culture in Australia. He has had experience
in the past of promoting concerts at Uni many years ago. He adds that his interests are within the personal consciousness field
of exploration and living in the absolute simplicity of being.
Personal interests are photography and arts, he carried a camera around
with him every day for five years photographing people and landscapes
in New Zealand.
Ishta Wilson
Ishta is also currently involved in AIAA on a voluntary basis. She is
very interested in visual arts and animals. When asked about her knowledge
of Indonesia, its culture and people Ishta said, "Like many Australians,
I have travelled to Indonesia and would love to learn more about Indonesia."
She has an interest in the artistic aspects of the culture citing batik
and gamelan music as her favourite examples. Ishta holds a B.A. degree
in Arts{Honours}.
Michael McClure
Regarding the project at AIAA Michael is interested in expanding his
knowledge of Indonesian arts and culture and learning about web-site
design. His present skills and interests include oriental arts/culture
and computer skills. He is also a practicing artist and a Vedic astrological
student and researcher.
Robb Rose
Robb’s knowledge of Indonesia is that it is has a large population and
is the closest neighbour to Australia. He is interested in increasing
International cultural awareness. Robb’s skills include computer, teaching
English overseas and child education. His personal interest is fishing.
What he would like to get out of the AIAA course is fund raising and
organisational skills.
Dharma Bradridge
Dharma has been traveling back and forth between Australia and Indonesia
since he was 18 months old. Though born in Australia his mother is from
Sumatra, of the Minang people. The longest period of time he’s spent
in Indonesia was when he was six, and he has most recently traveled
there in 1998. As his contact with Indonesia has over the years been
inconsistent there is the feeling of wanting a deeper connection with
the culture and strengthening the ways he can develop a closer relationship.
For Dharma deepening his understanding of the language is important
in this regard. As a musician, skilled in Bass guitar, Guitar, drums
and percussion, there is another medium with which to communicate, and
immersing himself in the creative spirit of the people is important
in both a personal sense, as well as fusing their influences into his
own music, and our culture. Working with the AIAA will give more than
one avenue to deepen his connection, but it seems AIAA may benefit more
than a little from what Dharma has to give.
Brian McGuiness
Brian's main interests in the project at AIAA are to strengthen a cultural
connection with Indonesia and Australia and to understand Indonesian
culture more deeply. The skills he has to offer are computer, interpersonal
skills and a willingness to learn.
Brian would like to advance his computer skills using programs
like Dream weaver and Fireworks Etc. Also to learn how to liase with
the wider business community. Personal interests include music, literature, dance and song.
Volunteer helper - Carol Potter
Carol is a devoted mum and came to Byron Bay from Melbourne with Arran
to experience a richer quality of life. She continued her nursing and
became involved with the Pan Arts community for a while where she discovered
the Gamelan Orchestra, which led her to join AIAA.
She is keen to develop more computer experience and develop her awareness
in Indonesian Arts.