Australian Capital Territory – Australia-Indonesia Youth Association

Australia Capital Territory

AIYA was born out of the Australian Capital Territory’s largest university – the Australian National University. The ACT is home to many Australians looking to build deeper links with Indonesia through language and cultural studies, and so it was natural that AIYA ACT, established in 2012, was formed to provide a space for these young people to learn in a setting outside of a university lecture theater. The ACT team arranges a number of engaging events across a range of topics, to stay up to date with what’s going on, follow the Chapter on social media:

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Committee Members

Charlotte is studying a double degree of Asian Studies and Languages, and is majoring in Southeast Asian Studies and Indonesian language. She has studied Indonesian since primary school. In 2018, she completed an Indonesian Studies H-Course at the ANU, which sparked her interest in Indonesian politics and culture. In 2020, Charlotte worked as an Indonesian language tutor to college students and is passionate about the continuation of Indonesian language in Australian schools. From 2021, She has volunteered for AIYA as Communications Officer and Secretary for the ACT Chapter.

Charlotte Hains

Chapter President

Marcelle is in her final year of a Bachelor of Asian Studies at the Australian National University. Marcelle has studied Indonesian since 2014 in high school and continued studying the language through her University education. Marcelle's interest in Indonesian history, politics and language has led her to be able to study in-country in both 2018 and 2023. Marcelle has a passion for Indonesia-Australia relations and wants to help strengthen this relationship through her role as Vice-President in AIYA.

Marcelle Brosnan

Vice President

Lourdes is in her fourth year of International Security Studies and Arts at the ANU, with special interests in Indonesian Studies, languages, and politics. Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, Lourdes sought to bring her love for Indonesian culture, food, and language with her when she moved to Australia to further her studies. She is passionate about developing and strengthening Australian-Indonesian bilateral relations and youth engagement in both countries.

Lourdes Bernadette

Secretary

Nicholas is studying a Bachelor of International Security Studies and Diploma of Languages, Majoring in Indonesian Language. Indonesia became a particular area of interest for him since beginning language studies in primary school, hosting Indonesian students through exchange programs, and studying there in 2023. During these studies in Indonesia, Nicholas was a Social Media Ambassador documenting, exploring and communicating the human relationships that make up Australia and Indonesia's bilateral relationship. Nicholas is excited to build upon this and learn from his colleagues through AIYA, extending his exploration of Indonesia and its cultures.

Nicholas von Guttner

Communications Officer

Molly is currently studying an Indonesian minor at ANU, as part of my degree in Laws/International Security Studies. Molly is passionate about celebrating Indonesian culture, and the Indonesia-Australian relationship with the AIYA and Canberra community. As Communications Officer, Molly helps to coordinate the AIYA ACT social media strategy and content creation.

Molly Cain

Communications Officer

Timothy is passionate for the maintenance cordial bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia, placing great trust in youth-based collaboration as means to achieve this. Tim affirms the role of people to people connections, often built through academic and cultural communities in cultivating the two countries' future leaders, which in a contemporary context, results in maximized impact for regional dynamics, and thus a global effect as well. This, he fervently believes, is a key criterion for a secure, prosperous Asia-Pacific that serves as a multi-aspect beacon by 2050.

Timothy Lakaseru

General Representative

Natasha is passionate about building people to people links between Australia and Indonesia. After participating in AIYEP 2020 (the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program), Natasha was inspired to learn Bahasa Indonesia to further connect with one of our closest neighbours. Through AIYA, Natasha hopes to bring people together and strengthen understanding of the Australia-Indonesia relationship.

Natasah T

General Representative

Ayu is currently doing her honours year on gender and Javanese culture at ANU. She grew up in Canberra to Indonesian and Australian parents, and has always felt a strong connection to Indonesia. Ayu is passionate about Indonesian-Australian relations, especially regarding culture and language in Java. She is enthusiastic about continuing to share this passion with the Canberra community through AIYA ACT's events this year.

Ayuningsih Hancock

Events Officer

Claire is a final-year Asian Studies and Medical Science student at ANU. She has studied Indonesian language since a young age, when she fell in love with the country and its culture. Claire wishes that more Australians could enjoy the exposure to Indonesia that her schooling has provided. She hopes to encourage this by creating new interest towards, and fostering current relationships with Indonesia through AIYA. As an Events Officer, Claire hopes to create events that welcome anyone and everyone into the Australia-Indonesia space.

Claire Roder

Events Officer

Zara is currently studying a Bachelor of Asian Studies majoring in Indonesian Studies and Asia and the Pacific Media, Culture, and Gender. She first started learning Indonesian in high school, where she developed an interest in learning about Indonesian culture and language. Zara is passionate about bringing an understanding and love of Indonesian culture to Australia and fostering a strong connection between the two countries.

Zara Hemingway

General Representative

Allys is a final-year Bachelor of Asian Studies student majoring in Asian history and Indonesian language. Allys was born in Indonesia to Australian and Indonesian parents but grew up in Canberra. Allys has been studying Indonesian since high school and recently returned from a semester exchange in Yogyakarta. As a General Representative, Allys is excited to contribute to meaningful connections within the Australia-Indonesia community.

Allys Hansell

General Representative

Mirielle is in her fourth year of studying for a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) in Humanities and Social Sciences at the Australian National University, majoring in Indigenous Studies and minoring in Economics. She is also pursuing a Diploma of Languages, majoring in Indonesian. Inspired by her Southeast Asian heritage and her Malaysian and East Timorese parents, Mirielle began studying Indonesian at ANU in 2021. She has had the opportunity to study in Indonesia twice, supported by DFAT’s New Colombo Plan, and she hopes to continue developing her language and cultural skills beyond her university studies.

Mirielle Augustin

General Representative