Back 4 good

Within one week I will be at my home land. I have finished my study thus my stay in Australia is end. Two years has lasted very fast, it is just like yesterday when first time my foot stepped Australian soil. Well, life must be continued so returning home is the new momentum to me.

I really appreciate all experience, skills and knowledge that I gained during my stay here. It is priceless. I believe that those are meaningful for my future. I want to thank to all my friends, colleagues and anybody for their kindness and friendship. Because of them, life in strange country seemed easy and less though. Joyful and exciting, and full of fun. Nevertheless, many challenges I have faced to survive, particularly with my study and language barrier.

I am back for good, but somehow (perhaps) I will be back again to Australia. Who knows..

Echuca

Echuca is located around 100 kms north of Bendigo. Journey by car approximately one and half hour. It is a tourist city whose main attraction is Paddle Steam Boat travelling within Murray River. In a day there are several trips in different boats (probably ten). A little bit costy, around AU$ 20 per person, but worthy as we boarded on the boat for 75 minutes. Very nice place, and also an alternative destination for people who want to visit regional Victoria (than Melbourne). See the pictures:

Me on the Newspaper

Iedul Fitr

Muslim Community in Bendigo celebrate the Iedul Fitr on Sunday (20/09). The pray was held in La Trobe Uni Musholla and attended by about 30 jama'ah. The Ied was commemorated solemnly and modest. The is no over-euphoria or excitment, due to small population in non-muslim predominantly circumtances, probably this is different if we celebrating ied in Muslim countries.

The Muslims who prayed are multiculture, they are coming from Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Australian. The light meals were provided at the end of the pray.

More Jama'ah in Bendigo

Alhamdulillah, for the past one year, the number of Muslims brother and sister has increased. Some of them are students who study in La Trobe University. Particularly in Pharmacy, Oral Health and Destistry. They live in Melbourne but in weekdays they stay in Bendigo to study. The rest are some GPs and destists. Mostly they are coming from Pakistan and India. They are working in some hospital and private clinics here. There is also a Malaysian dentist who come last February. Recently, a Malaysian family just moved to Bendigo. The husband is aiming to study in La Trobe in religious study.

As a conseqeunce, the Musholla cannot fully accommodate all the jamaah if they come to pray together. For this month alone, around 25 people are attending the pray every week which creates crowded. This is good, but certainly in the future we need solution to solve this. Because ramadhan is coming, and insha Allah some brothers and sisters will join with their families in tarawih and we need more space.

Insha Allah, we will try to propose our own Mosque in Bendigo.

La Trobe Award

Last Month I was awarded Community Leadership Award by La Trobe University due to my contiribution in society and campus life. It's really high appreciation, and little bit surprise. For futher details just see the information below.

Students celebrate achievements

28 Jul 2009

Students from La Trobe University, Bendigo campus are gearing up for the Awards and Prizes ceremony at The Capital Theatre on Thursday 30 July 2009.

Bendigo campus director, Andrew Skewes, says the Awards and Prizes ceremony is a time for celebration for students and an opportunity to acknowledge the support the University receives from Bendigo organisations and businesses.‘We congratulate our award-winning students for their success and extend our appreciation to the many businesses and organisations in Bendigo that offer their support through these awards and scholarships,’ said Mr Skewes.Mr Skewes said that industry scholarships provide students with financial support and practical experience during their study. He said that many of the students stay in the region to work once they qualify.‘Scholarships help our students with their study expenses and give them on-the-job experience. The benefit to business and the community is that many of them then choose to live and work in the area after they graduate, a great outcome for all concerned,’ Mr Skewes said.The response to the news from award winners has been a mixture of surprise, excitement and elation.

‘I was ecstatic, proud and very surprised to win because the award was never mentioned during the course,’ says David Luc, who received the Colgate-Palmolive Academic Award in Dentistry.Bachelor of Commerce graduate, Amy Stratton received three awards and is delighted. ‘I’m pretty excited; it’s great to get a reward for all the hard work I put into my final year of study.’Recipient of the DM Myers University Medal for the outstanding undergraduate student graduating from the Faculty of Education, Meg Webster, now teaches Grade 5 students at Swan Hill Primary School and is the LOTE (Languages Other Than English) coordinator. Meg was up against students from all campuses of La Trobe University for the award.‘I was very, very surprised; I had no idea I was getting the medal until I graduated in May,’ says Meg.

Febri Soebagio is equally pleased at being awarded the City of Greater Bendigo Community Leadership Award. He volunteered his time to teach maths to the children of Burmese refugees. Febri is also the international student representative on the Bendigo Student Association committee. ‘I am excited and happy; I couldn’t believe I won the award,’ says Febri.

Georgina (Georgie) Daniel is another triple award winner. ‘I was very grateful to win the awards. I couldn’t believe it when I received the letters but I have always worked really, really hard through university.’Georgie receives the Kevin de Vries Pharmaceutical Care Award, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Prize and the SHPA (Society of Hospital Pharmists of Australia) Pharmacy Practice and Advanced Counselling Award.Civil Engineering student,

Jackson Renton, is a double award winner. Jackson is the recipient of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering Dean’s Scholarship of Academic Excellence, which is awarded to the most outstanding students enrolled in courses nominated by the Dean. Jackson has also received the VicRoads civil engineering scholarship. Along with the financial support, the scholarship will also give Jackson the opportunity to work with VicRoads during his studies for up to 12 weeks a year.

Halal Food

One problem as a Muslim in Australia is how to find Halal food. Particularly me and muslim community who live in the country (non-metropolitan Australia) such in Bendigo. Muslims who live in Melbourne and Sydney have better access to get Halal food in certain restaurants and butchers whose owners are coming from Middle Eastern (Lebanese), Turkish, Pakistan and India with strong Islamic culture.

In Bendigo, with very small Muslim population, so far only two restaurants that have Halal certificate, first is Lady Sultan Turkish Kebab that owned by a Turkish family and second, Nando's Chicken a franchise restaurant that obtain Halal recognition from Islamic Council of Victoria. Previously, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was certified as Halal as they cook chicken from Ingham (a Halal Chicken slaughter company). However, about six months ago Ingham has had been declared as non-Halal so that all three KFC' restaurants in Bendigo should be refrained.

But Alhamdulillah, we have no difficulties to buy Halal chicken in Supermarket here. Some companies such as Hazeldens, Baiada, Lilydale and Steggles are granted Halal Certificate from AFIC (Australian Federation of Islamic Council). Their products can be found easily in every Supermarket; IGA, Safeway and Coles. Although there is no Halal label in their products, but we can check their Halal accreditation information from their website.

For you who need further information about Halal Chicken and Meats in Bendigo, you can check my other blog on : http://bendigomoslem.multiply.com/














Picture from www.maitredefoods.com.au

One Tree Hill Lookout

One Tree Hiil Lookout is located in One Tree Hill Regional Park, one of Bendigo's major recreational area. This park is 1,090 hectares wide with colourful of wildflowers and variety of daisies. Some wild faunas can be found here such as wallabies and lace monitors.

The Lookout is probably situated in the highest elevation of the park. Thus, the view of the forest and the city can be seen. It also used as bushfire surveillance tower, to anticipate if the flame appears in the south eastern Bendigo. I am not sure about its height, but probably around 50 to 70 metres. It is not really high but enough to see the amazing view.














Picture from: www.travelvictoria.com.au





























Picture from my camera

Cold...

Winter has come in June. The temperature in Bendigo has dropped below zero in some days. Chill, cold and so freezing especially at night. Each time I go out I must wear layers of clothes, or probably I ever wear 5 layers! Sometimes with head cover and gloves (if i ride bike).

I never experience this cold before. Last year on winter I went home to visit my family, therefore exeperiencing winter in June-July is my first time.

In early days there were some rains and lasting almost a whole week. Make me sick and just rest at home. It obstruct my thesis process, but anyway try to enjoy it. By spending more times with family, and my daughter.

Brrrr, I miss my home country, with temperature just 30 degree average.

My Last Class

I just finished my last subject. Thus, I still have another semester to finish my degree. I need to complete my minor thesis for another 6 months. Time is going to quick, not ralize that I should back home soon. This is the photo of my classmates from the last class, only few 7 students. Probably one of the smallest class that I ever attended. I can't wait to type my thesis, struggling and fight against laziness :-) he3

Indonesian Community in Bendigo Easter Parade

Every year Easter Festival commemorates in Bendigo. This year, the festival conducts within four days Friday to Monday, from 10 to 13 April 2009. On Monday, the big parade is held which participated by numerous groups and institutions. This parade also a part of "Sun Loong" Dragon attraction (the longest Chinese Dragon in the World) that only performs once a year. Thousands of people gathered to watch the parade whom mostly are coming outside of Bendigo, even from overseas.

This year Indonesia community is also invited by the council to participate. After absent last year, now the community eager to carry fantastic performance to the crowd. Around 80 people join the Indonesian parade group, who are plenty of them are not native Indonesian. Some of them are students from Ambonese, some are Indonesian residents. The rests are Australian who interested with Indonesian culture and students from local schools.

The Indonesian group comprises of people who wear traditional dresses (such from Aceh, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Bali and Molluccas). Around ten of them dance Kuda Kupang, play gendangs and gongs, while the others just walking and waving their hands to audiences. Three pedicabs (becak) accompannies the group to create the uniqueness. The group walks through the city centre in the route for about 2 km.

As the parade over, Sun Loong comes as the closing ceremony. It's amazing to wonder how big and long it is. The parade started from 11.00 and finished at 13.00. Afterwards, Bendigo becomes quiet and calm again.

International Dinner

After the success of International Dinner last year, the similar event was held again this semester . It is also a part of Unimates program that had been run for two months. International Dinner this semester was conducted in La Trobe Uni Bendigo, in Student Union Ground Floor and attended by almost 40 students from different countries. They are coming from Australia, Singapore, Srilanka, India, Indonesia, Finland, Denmark, USA, Iran, Canada and China.

All of them were encouraged to bring their own home-country food and sharing the stories on how they made it. The tables are full with more than 20 various food, which divided as vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Students from Scandinavia cooked their traditional bread with Salmon and special sauce. Indians and Sri Lankans brought their special recipe of rice, chicken and ginger tea. One of unxpected food was coming from Australian friend, who cooked Kangaroo meat in barbaque sauce (surpirsingly!).

I brought a plate full of Bakwan (which cooked by my wife). Around 20 Bakwans on the plate, with extra 30 Bakwans in the tupperware and all of them were eaten. My American friends, who never eat Bakwan before, asking the recipe and amazed with the taste. Others also curious about it, I just told them that Bakwan is very common in Indonesia and can be found anywhere (especially in street vendors).

One of my favourite food was coming from Sri Lanka. Because it served rice, and I can't feel full if eat without rice.

Indonesian General Election

Indonesia General Election will be held in two days. Unfortunately, this year we cannot participate with this democracy party. First, because we live far away from Indonesia and second, our place is not provided with TPS (Tempat Pemungutan Suara) or Vote Location. Bendigo is far from Melbourne, approximately 150 kms with total Indonesian citizens live there less than 20 people. Therefore, Consulate General in Melbourne decides to arrange "Post Election". It means that we can give vote through Vote Letter than sent by pos. Consulate has sent us two letters which are "Vote Paper", so that we can make election from our home. After that, we return it to consulate through Post.

No wonder that we can vote earlier than Indonesian citizens in Indonesia or in Melbourne. After sending it back, hopefully our votes can be counted soon on 19th of April. We expect that this little contribution (General Election) can emerge hope of our nation's future.

Moving Out

As we realized our daughter growing up and need more space, we move to other place. Me and my wife now are renting a two bedrrom-unit with full-furnish. It cost me higher than previous accommodation, around AU$170/week, excluded bills. It is also adjoined with small, beautiful garden in the backyard, complete with a fountain and tent.

Although expensive, it's good for us to have more privacy and learn to be independent. Consequently, we must smarter to manage our expenses than before.

It's location a little bit far from Uni (10 minutes walking), compare to my former place only two minutes walk. But, it is so close with bus stop and the city can be reach by walking too. Therefore, when we put Keisha to childcare or go shopping, we just need to walk around 10-15 minutes.

Our decision to move also based on our expectation of the visiting of our families form Indonesia. Therefore, we have a bedroom and more space to share with them.

Volunteering

It is not difficult to become a volunteer in Australia. According to my experience, volunteer vacation is available in certain media, like Newspaper, Internet and TV, and yet Volunteer Resource Centre 9VRC) is available in some metropolitan and big cities around Australia. Thus, someone can read those media or come to the VRC office for volunteer opportunity enquiries. So that they can join the organization easily.

Last year I joined two different organization. First is a local NGO that serve migrants and refugee to settle in Bendigo. I volunteered as tutor for Burmese refugee children. I thaught them English and how to use computer and internet. Recently I also teach them mathematic. Second is Bendigo Hospital. I was serving as fundraiser that sell some newspaper, candy, towels etc. to the patients and visitors. I went around hospotal from first floor to the fourth floor. It was tired, but worthed. Unfortunately, I have quit since the time is unsuit my schedule.

Now I am joining Conservation Volunteer Australia. This organization offer quite range of activities but within flexible time. I choose once a week to take part as volunteer in a bush reserve area in Bendigo. I will start it tomorrow, and can't wait for it.

Interestingly, to become a volunteer here we must pass "Police Check". When I applied I have to wait for two weeks until get letter confirmation from Police. The organization also offer some training and induction program which is useful for beginner volunteer. However, most of the volunteer are pensioners and seniors, whereas their age is over 50 years old. It is quiet surprising for me if I compare to my country most of the volunteer are in their 20s or 30s. I realized that most of volunteer here not working, therefore they just join for fun and social activities. Differently, in Indonesia volunteer is a one step to get achievement of working experience, add CV qualification and expand networking. (Based on my experience)

Can't wait to back to Indonesia and serve as volunteer again.

After One Year

Wow, time goes so quick. I did not realize that I have passed half of my study time in Australia. Well, I still have 10 months left to spend then going home.

Alhamdulillah I feel my English going very well. I have good self confident now, not affraid anymore to chat and speak with new people. I can hear OZs speak clearly. I admit that most of them speak so fast and mummble so at the first time I often to ask them to repeat so many times. I am having good friends, whether International Students, local OZs, refugess, Indonesians etc. Altough I did not spend of my time travelling accross Aussie, but lucky I ever experience short distance journey accross Victoria (as far as Geelong).

I really miss my home country. Especially my friends and FOOD. Can't wait to get home, and do something and many things that overload in my head (ambition, planning etc.)

10 Months left, and counting...

Rushworth, ex Gold Rush Town

Situated 45 minutes drive from Bendigo, Rushworth is a classic town of Gold Mining era in 1850s. During that period its population reached to 40,000, while now only less than 1,000. Its historic site including Whroo Heritage Site (old open mining site), Old Buildings and Church and Cemetery (that comprises of European and Chinese Burial).  

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Victoria/Rushworth/2005/02/17/1108500207279.html