Australian heads Indonesian Heritage Society

Australian heads Indonesian Heritage Society

JAKARTA (JP): Leading an organization of volunteers of 32
different nationalities in a foreign country is apparently not an
easy job to do.

But that will be Liz Oley's task for at least a year after she
became chairwoman of the Indonesian Heritage Society on Thursday.
She replaced Mary de Tray, wife of the World Bank's outgoing
country director Dennis de Tray.

With a confident smile, the Australian took up the new
position during the society's annual meeting at the Erasmus Huis
building on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta.

"I feel really honored at the privilege given to me by members
of the Indonesian Heritage Society," said Oley, clad in simple
blue attire with a matching batik shawl.

Oley first got in touch with the society while helping with
preparations for an international textile symposium at the
National Museum in Central Jakarta in 1993, a year after she
moved in to the country. At the time, she was still residing in
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Wanting to know and learn more, she later came to Jakarta and
signed up as a society member.

"I want to have the opportunity to learn more, broadly and
deeply, about Indonesian culture ... all different aspects of
Indonesia," said Oley.

Has the society met her expectations?

"Certainly. I have experienced very many aspects of
Indonesians society," the wife of an international mining company
employee told The Jakarta Post.

The society was set up 30 years ago as Ganesha Volunteers to
support and assist the National Museum and other museums in the
city while promoting the country's cultural heritage to the
public.

This year, the society has 445 members. Indonesians are the
largest group with 72 participating members. Membership for
Indonesian is free, but expatriates are required to pay about Rp
200,000 in annual fees.

For Oley herself, it was not the first time she was involved
in activities which enabled her to learn more about local people.

In Balikpapan, she also joined an organization where she
learned about various topics and the local culture, such as
traditional ceremonies and customs.

It is probably one of the reasons she has no difficulty mixing
in her group.

She also learned many things, including priceless experiences.

"It's the friendship that I find very rewarding. I meet people
from different nationalities here. And I am proud to say that I
met some of my Indonesians friends at the organization," said
Oley, showing a piece of kain tenun (handmade woven cloth), a
gift from an Indonesian friend for her new position.

What touched her more while in the group, apart from the
friendship, was the volunteers' dedication.

"What the volunteers do amazed me... It's in a way of making
their skills available for organization."

What lies ahead for the new chairwoman of the society?

According to Oley, she has no plan to make many changes to the
society's present activities.

"The present program is a current one and I would like to
consolidate it for the moment," said Oley, who is actively
involved in the organization's study groups.

Apart from internal consolidation, however, Oley has listed
some tasks that should be immediately realized.

The first one is to find a new location for the society's
library since the lease comes due very soon. Run by volunteers,
the library, which is currently located in South Jakarta, is only
open to the society members.

"My other tasks, that should also be done immediately, is to
sell a lot of copies of the newly published The Jakarta Explorer,
increase sales of museum (Museum Nasional) guidebook and to
maintain and increase our memberships..." Oley said.

"For me the country's heritage is unparalleled, wonderful and
enriched my experiences. It's a privilege to be in this country."
(ste)