22 August 2008
Australia’s Talented Singer Jessica Mauboy Visits Her Ancestor land in Indonesia
Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer welcomed one of Australia’s most talented singers and the Australian Idol star Jessica Mauboy for her second tour to Bali, Kupang and Jakarta this week.
This trip is important for Jessica because for the first time ever, she will make an ‘official trip’ to represent Australia’s arts community to her ancestor land in Nusa Tenggara Timur. “We are excited that Jessica will have the opportunity to explore her ancestor land in her new role as the unofficial cultural ambassador for Australia and Indonesia. With her Indigenous mother and Indonesian father, Jessica is a living example of the strong people to people links between our two countries,” Ambassador Farmer said.
Her second journey to Indonesia starts in Bali where she visits Senang Hati Foundation, a community based program that provides physiotherapy to disable people, in Ubud. She is scheduled to have discussions with a number of local media in Bali and will also meet and perform with students of Bali International School in Sanur.
In NTT, Jessica will visit and perform with students of Sekolah Satu Atap (SATAP) Nunkurus and meet Timorese weaver ladies at Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bebali.
Her trip will continue to Jakarta where she will attend a celebration of Indonesian Independence Day at the Lamoda Café, Plaza Indonesia. She will collaborate with Soulmate Band and be at the same stage with Indonesian prominent fashion designers to present “Tribute to Nation”.
The Jessica Mauboy IN2OZ tour of Indonesia is sponsored by the Australia International Cultural Council (AICC), an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. IN2OZ is an extensive program of cultural diplomacy events in Indonesia in 2008. The aim of the program is to strengthen cultural ties between Indonesia and Australia.
Further information on the IN2OZ: Creative Australia program is available at http://www.dfat.gov.au/in2oz
Media Inquiries:
Fiona Hoggart, First Secretary (Cultural) mob.0811 936 302
