Indonesian Embassy In Australia Screens Documentary Film

INDONESIAN EMBASSY IN AUSTRALIA SCREENS DOCUMENTARY FILM "INDONESIA CALLING 1946" By Eliswan Azly Jakarta, Oct 29 (Antara) - The Indonesian embassy in Australia recently screened "Indonesia Calling 1946", a documentary film depicting the struggle of some Indonesian youths in Australia, most of whom were workers, sailors and troops paid by the Dutch government. The film was screened in commemoration of Youth Pledge Day on Monday, October 28, 2013 at the embassy, followed by a panel discussion in the presence of Indonesians, embassy officials, academicians and the Australian community in Canberra, where the embassy is located. Depicting the struggle of Indonesian youths in Australia, the film was first launched by Jorislvens, a Dutch citizen, said Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema in a press release made available to Antara in Jakarta on Tuesday. In his opening speech, Nadjib stressed that the film depicted the emerging spirit of spontaneous cooperation by the Australian people when Indonesian youths were in need of support during the era of independence in 1946. At that time, Indonesian youths received significant support and assistance from the Australian community, which is a historical story believed lost to both the Indonesian and Australian people. The film reported on the spirit of independence displayed by the Indonesian people in Australia as they opposed the Dutch government, which later sent armed troops to Indonesia. After the proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945, some Indonesian youths, brought by the Netherlands to Australia to protect them from Japanese attacks, refused to again join the Dutch government if they had to be sent home to fight a recognized ruler of Indonesia in 1946. Consisting of workers, sailors, ships crews and troops trained by the Dutch government, the Indonesian youths staged a demonstration and refused to cooperate with the Dutch government. With strong support from the Australian public as well as members of the Australian Waterside Workers Union, along with Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian sailors, the Indonesian youths succeeded in boycotting Dutch ships heading to Indonesia, which were known as "The Black Armada". For several years, the boycott also prevented hundreds of Dutch vessels from sailing to Indonesia. After the screening of the film there was a panel discussion about the support provided by the Australian community in the early era of independence. Led by Prof Ronny Rachman, the Indonesian attach for Educational and Cultural Affairs, other participants included Prof. Anthony Reid of the Australian National University and Kresno Brahmantyo, a lecturer in history at the University of Indonesia, as well as Anthony Liem, who assisted in making the film.