On the 17^th of August every year the citizens of the Republic of Indonesia celebrate HARI KEMERDEKAAN REPUBLIK INDONESIA to commemorate their Independence as a nation in1945.

In anticipation of the 64^th Indonesian Independence Day 2009 and to raise awareness of the historical events in Indonesia, DEECD, in conjunction with VILTA, invited all Victorian students (VILTA members) to create a poster that represents a modern interpretation of ‘Indonesian Independence Day’.

A total of 188 entries from 26 different schools were received across the three categories. Entries from the Middle Years - Grades 5 to Year 8 dominated but it was great to see younger students and a small number of busy Year 10 students also taking an interest.

The judges’ task was a difficult one due to the large number and high quality of entries. 

Congratulations to the winners in each of the three categories:

Early Years – Prep to Grade 4

1st Place         Fiona Shan, Grade 4, Park Ridge Primary School

2nd Place        Tiahni Decru, Grade 3, Lilydale West Primary School

3rd Place         Ari Taylor, Grade 4, Lilydale West Primary School

Highly Commended       An Quynh Do, Grade 4, Bellbridge Primary School

Middle Years – Grade 5 to Year 8

1st Place         Ailish Learmonth, Grade 6, Corryong College

2nd Place        Vanessa Ambler, Year 7, Penleigh & Essendon Grammar

3rd Place         Jessica McNay, Year 8, Rowville Secondary College

Highly Commended - Mikayla DePasquale, Year 7, Carranballac College

Upper Years – Year 9 to Year 12

1st Place         Anna Haintz, Year 9, Damascus College

2nd Place        Nicole Pickering, Year 10, Fintona Girls’ School

3rd Place         Jennifer Dinh Nguyen, Year 10, The Mac Robertson Girls’ High School

Highly Commended            Jennifer Sikorski, Year 9, Rowville Secondary College

All winners and their Indonesian teachers and parent/s were invited to join the celebrations with the Consulate General Mr. Budiarman Bahar at The Consulate General Republic of Indonesia on Monday 17^th August, where they were presented with their prizes and certificates. All that attended the ceremony had an enjoyable day, filled with some yummy Indonesian food and some delightful cultural performances.

I received a lot of positive feedback in regards to the Poster Competition, which was most appreciated, thank you to those teachers and parents! There was also a lot discussion from teachers that they would like this competition to become an annual event.

I hope that individual schools will showcase their own poster displays to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day and present the ‘Participation Certificates’ at a school assembly to further promote your LOTE Programs within your school.

A special thank you to the judges (Ibu Monamaria Bonifasia and Bapak Hadi Sapto – Consulate for Information, Social and Cultural Affairs, The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia and Ibu Silvy Wantania – Teacher of Indonesian/VILTA Committee Member, for taking time out of their busy schedules to judge the entries.

Thank you also to The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia – Bapak Budiarman Bahar for his continued support, cooperation and enthusiasm.

Lastly, congratulations and well done to all students for submitting such magnificent posters and to their teachers for bringing this important topic to their attention.

Julie Newnham
Indonesian Language Advisor

LOTE Unit

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development