Picture i: from left to right – Nita Rahayu, Aaron Hall and Ifrin Fittock from Reog Jangkar Bumi and gamelan Mugi Rahayu in Bendigo. Picture 2: Nita Rahayu, playing Bujang Ganong. Pictures 3 & 4: Live performance Reog Ponoroga Jangkar Bumi and gamelan Mugi Rahayu at Federation Square, 17 Aug 2025. (SBS Indonesian).
Besides the official ceremony at the Indonesian Consulate General in Victoria and Tasmania in Melbourne, the flag-raising ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, the most eagerly awaited event for the Indonesian diaspora is the flag-raising ceremony at Federation Square, followed by entertainment.
Besides the official ceremony at the Indonesian Consulate General in Victoria and Tasmania in Melbourne, the flag-raising ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, the most eagerly awaited event for the Indonesian diaspora is the flag-raising ceremony at Federation Square, followed by entertainment.
This year, the entertainment featured the Reog Ponorogo group Jangkar Bumi and the gamelan group Mugi Rahayu. Both groups are from Bendigo, led by this married couple Nita Rahayu and Aaron Hall.
What exactly drives the couple to be so passionate about developing Reog and gamelan culture in Australia?
Nita Rahayu and Aaron Hall explained it all to SBS Indonesian, including their efforts to develop their knowledge of Indonesian culture.
Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 3 pm.
