The Indonesian community and the Immigration Museum invite all Victorians to meet the community and experience the richness of Indonesian music, food, dance, craft and traditions.

Victoria s Indonesian community numbers more than 12,500 and is also one of our fastest growing migrant groups, with a 14 per cent increase between 2001 and 2006. Indonesian Festa at the Immigration Museum offers the chance to learn more about the cultures and people of Indonesia, Australia s immediate northern neighbour.

Activities on the day will include:
-Music performances by groups including Melbourne Community Gamelan, Sixcomeling Band, Indomonashis Band and Permai Javanese Gamelan
-Traditional Indonesian foods
-Shadow puppetry (Wayang Kulit) performance
-Performances of colourful and intricate Indonesian regional dances, such as: the Peacock Dance of Java, the Sekarjagat and Belibis dances from Bali, the Saman Dance from Aceh, among many others
-Public workshops in Indonesian martial arts (Pencak Silat) and Angklung (a bamboo musical instrument)
-Demonstrations of the traditional Indonesian artforms, including batik painting and caricature
-Community information, Indonesian short films and displays

There is a long history of Indonesian people living and working in Australia, beginning around 1750 with expeditions of fisherman seeking trepang (edible sea slugs). Throughout the 19th century, Indonesians worked on pearl-luggers and sugar plantations. During WWII the government of what was then known as the Dutch East Indies relocated to Melbourne, bringing with them an estimated 10,000 Indonesian workers. Although most of these early arrivals eventually returned to Indonesia, some remained and others paved the way for improved understanding between Australians and their northern neighbours.

Between 1947 and 1956, only 140 Indonesians settled permanently in Australia, but as racial restrictions on Australian immigration eased, more Indonesians found a home here. By 1981 more than 3,000 Indonesians had come to settle or study, and today the community in Victoria numbers around 12,600 Indonesian-born Australians