Gamelan in Bendigo

A gamelan is a kind of musical ensemble of Indonesia especially in Javanese region. It consists of a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings, and vocalists may also be included. In Australia and New Zealand, Gamelan is prominent traditional instrument and well played by many people (especially Australian. There are a number of Gamelan groups in throughout the country such as Banyu Gunung Salju (University of Canterbury), Bodhan Boondall (Western Australia), Giri Jaya (Toowoomba) , Kyahi Jatidiri (Queensland Conservatorium), Langen Suka (Sydney), Nyi Gemi Raras (University of Melbourne), Padhang Moncar (Victoria University of Wellington), PERMAI (Melbourne), Puspa Wresti (Brisbane), Novo Kasatria (Newcastle), Sekehe Gong Tirta Sinar/Gong Dharma Bali (Sydney), Songket (Sydney, Sundanese), Swara Naga (University of New England) and Taniwha Jaya (Massey University, Wellington).

Bendigo also has its own Gamelan Group (Mugi Rahayu). This group was formed two years ago and perform regularly every cultural event. In 30th of March 2008, the group was invited to present traditional folk songs and dancing along with gamelan percussion. Recently, Mugi Rahayu played at bendigo Town Hall to celebrate Bendigo's Cultural Diversity in17th of March.

Lucky me, I can joined the performance and played well, eventhough I only have practiced twice. On the other hand, it gives me opportunity to learn much about my own culture although I live in Australia now. I realized that I didn't know much about my own nation culture and traditional performance. But at least I want to try and preserve it while somehow many Australians interest to play gamelan more than Indonesians. They really keen to practice gamelan as a hobby and leisure activities.

Mugi Rahayu is headed by Aroon Hall an Australian who studied Javanese Arts and Dance in Yogyakarta for many years ago. His wife is Nita Hall (Indonesian) is a lecturer in La Trobe University Bendigo Campus in Indonesian Subject.







See more on http://danny.oz.au/gamelan/

Bendigo, the story begins....

The town of gold rush between 1850 and 1900. At that time, Bendigo was the richest field of the world with around nine billion dollars worth of gold was found. Today many past historic buildings attract many visitor to enjoy the history of gold and romantic tourism.

Situated in North-West region of Victoria, the distance is about 150 km from Melbourne. It needs a two-hour journey to travel whereas by train or car. Bendigo is also famous for its winemaking, agriculture and picturesque landscape. It includes numerous State Parks, and Forests, with rivers and lakes.

One of La Trobe University regional campuses is located in Bendigo. Approximately 4200 students study there, includes 220 international students. It's a small campus within compact environment. Some wild animals can be found in bush areas near the campus, such as kangaroo, cockatoo, crow and snake.

The quite enviroment is suitable for students who like to live in relaxing circumtances and less crowded people. Nonetheless, the distance from uni to the city is within minutes. Buses and bicycle are the cheapest and easiest transport for students.

Study in Australia will Improve Your English?

If you think that study in foreign english-country will improve your english, you should consider again your decision to study overseas. For example in Melbourne, Australia. This nation notes english as official languange which is used in every part of people life. For example in commerce, academic environment (university), trade, public transport and the others. Basically this will encourage every person who life in Melbourne to use english. Unfortunately, in some occassions I realize that become student here would not guarantee your ability to speak, listen and write english well than before in your native country.

The reason is some students only use limited english. I assume that they speak english only in class (university), shopping centres (when they buy somethig), public transport (in train station or bus stop) or other common areas in society. On the other side, they spend almost their time (daily or weekly) in their own native-spoken community. For instance Indonesian community, Malaysian community, Turksh communities and Vietnamese communities.

According to Indonesian Consulate in Melbourne, about 20,000 Indonesian citizens live in Victoria, and around 9000 of whom are students. Most of them live in the same places (like suburb) in some major spot like Clayton, Footscray, Broadmedows and Brunswick. Additionally, they share in the same house or live in the Indonesian neighbourhood. Then, many Indonesian students study in the same University like University of Melbourne and Monash University, and sometimes they become classmate. In their daily and weekly activities, they meet each other and speak Bahasa. This community also help each other and tightened by nationality emotion. It gives benefits for students who live far away from Indonesia.

However for the long term their skills of english will not be improved. They create the limitation of their relationship with other students from different countries, specially with local students (Australia). I realize that this behaviour is difficult to change since Indonesian students are more comfort to make interaction within their own. The different of culture and languange separates Indonesian students with others.

I presume that their english are not be better as they back home soon.

Australian Don't like Soeharto??

The shocking headline news was put in "The Australian", one of prominent newspaper in Melbourne. I am not surprised of the death of my former president, since He has suffered of the illness for the long time, but I'm surprised on how many Australian see Soeharto as the bad guy. As the person who responsible for the human rights abuse in East Timor and Aceh, as the corrupt president and killling many people during his reign in 32 years.

Even though I'm a person who support the law enforcement against Soeharto, but I think it's not appropriate to condemn someone that has just passed away. Maybe I'm too Indonesian style, as the easyness to forgive and forget someone sin, which I did to Soeharto.

Probably in the past Soeharto and Australia has unsatisfactory relation. Although I also know that once Soeharto and Australia had romance relationship (as happen in Paul Keating administration).

Maybe I get mad on the headline, but also I can forgive it. I just think the dislike of Soeharto can be done in modest way, just to honor someone who face the difficulty way in the death.

28 January 2008

Jakarta-Sidney, the journey began

16th of January, as the plane take off to Sidney my journey to Australia was began. Australia is the destinantion place for my advance study there. Excitment and worry blend on my heart thereafter. A 7 hour flight was welcomed by the windy and cold weather at the Sidney airport. Many foreigners wokers, as we called it "bule", say greet and warm smile. I remember my own country then. Only for a second I miss it so much.
The warmth welcome become unfriendly as me and some Indonesian students have to pass the immigration customs. The staffs look after us suspiciously and I nervous if something bad could be happen to me. Thank good, I passed it smoothly. Then prepare for long Journey to Melbourne.
My impression is the Australian so strict and cautios for every visitors from overseas. But after that, they are very welcome and warm. Indeed, I wonder there are many asian people in the airport, who are not visitors. They are immigrant, who live and work in Australia. I realize then Australia is not only live by the "whites" but it has coloured by many people around the world.





17th January 2008