Now in its second year, the AIYA Victoria event featured panel discussions, an angklung workshop, collaborative zine-making, and a Sasando performance from East Nusa Tenggara.
On Saturday, 13 June 2026, the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Melbourne once again hosted "Nusantara in Melbourne," bringing together members of the Indonesian diaspora and the wider Australian community. The event, now in its second year, was organised by the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) Victoria.
Despite overcast skies, attendees turned out in strong numbers. Among them was Tyra Beckett, an Australian who had previously studied in Indonesia as part of a teaching practicum. Wearing a traditional Balinese endek cloth fashioned as a skirt, Tyra said she came because she wanted to stay connected to Indonesian culture and meet more Indonesians living in Melbourne.
Tia Ragat, a Melbourne-based student originally from Kupang in Nusa Tenggara Timur, said she attended to connect with both the Indonesian and Australian communities, and to enjoy cultural performances she rarely encounters at international events.
For Tia, watching her childhood friend Yona Detaq perform on the Sasando was a proud moment. She said the performance felt like a taste of home, particularly when Yona played Indonesian melodies alongside Waltzing Matilda, bridging both cultures through music.
Ahimsa Swadeshi, one of the organisers from AIYA Victoria's Sociocultural team, said this year's programme included panel discussions, angklung and patchwork workshops, zine-making, and a Sasando performance.
While the format was broadly similar to the inaugural edition, Ahimsa noted that this year placed greater emphasis on the historical connection between Makassar seafarers and the Yolngu community in the Northern Territory. He said this relationship between people and communities was the driving spirit behind the event.
He also stressed that Nusantara in Melbourne is not solely a celebration of Indonesian culture. It is equally an invitation for Australians with an interest in or connection to Indonesia to come together and collaborate. The ultimate goal, he said, is to make the relationship between Indonesia and Australia richer and more meaningful.
One activity that drew particular interest was zine-making, in which participants created small, eight-page community magazines. Nathania Mirandini, who coordinated the activity, explained that attendees also contributed to an interactive map of Indonesia by answering two questions: where they are from and where they would like to visit.
Listen to the full podcast to hear the complete conversations from Nusantara in Melbourne 2026.
