TWO STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL ESSAY WRITING CONTEST

Jakarta, Sept 23 (ANTARA) - Two Indonesian students won the first prize of a national essay writing contest held by the Australia Embassy in cooperation with Indonesia's Reformation Center (CIR) and Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Rike Rahmawati and Sirajuddin Hasbi were named the winners of the writing contest in the high school and college student category respectively. The competition itself took the theme of Indonesia-Australia relationship, according to press release from the Australia Embassy here Tuesday.
The second winner in the high school category was Suhite Whini Setyahuni, and the third winner Mochammad Danur Estu. Furthermore, in the college student category, the second place was taken by Nathaniel Gratias and the third place by Desyta Rahma.
"I really believe that Australia and Indonesia have come to understand each other better," Australian ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer, said when announcing the finalists of the competition.
"Both are countries that uphold democracy and have diversity among its people. I am glad that the competition has played a role to build a closer relationship between our peoples," he said.
The ambassador also said the essays he had read gave a positive overview of the future relationships between the two countries without fear of being critical.
"It is usual for the two countries to brainstorm their ideas or even offer critiques in an adult way. If there is critique, it should be accepted or given in an open minded and friendly manner," he said.
The winner of the contest's first prize gets round-trip ticket from Sydney to Indonesia along with accommodation.