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)