Leadership Team

Sheila Hie

Sheila grew up in Jakarta before arriving in Brisbane to study in 2011. Her love of Indonesia is and will always be part of her, and became the main reason for her involvement in NAILA and AIYA. Sheila is the founder of AIYA Queensland Chapter and served as AIYA’s National Treasurer between 2015-2019. 

Sheila thoroughly believes that language is a key to a successful relationship. She also believes that Indonesia is truly the land of opportunities. These two factors emphasise the importance of learning Indonesian language for Australians and NAILA aims to spread this message across Australia.

Sheila enjoys making Indonesian traditional desserts in her free time. Professionally, she currently works as a Senior Manager in their Trade Portfolio Management team within the Institutional Banking division of ANZ Banking Group.

Melanie Kilby

Melanie has engaged in the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship for over fifteen years and continues to learn Indonesian today. Her passion for Indonesian language and culture began in high school and continued through to university, where she completed an Honours degree in Indonesian Studies. Melanie is the Secretary on the board of AIYA and currently works at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra.

Melanie believes that language learning is a key tool in the development of strong Australia-Indonesia relations. She considers NAILA to be a vital platform for both promoting language learning and connecting future leaders in the relationship, and is excited to contribute her efforts to the competition.

Michael Anderson

Michael is completing a BA(Hons) at the University of Melbourne, writing his thesis on the intersection between Chinese Indonesian religious and political developments. He also works in administration at the Australia Indonesia Business Council.

Michael has previously interned with YCAB Foundation, an Indonesian not-for-profit and social enterprise specialising in microfinance and education, and has completed short courses at Udayana University, Denpasar and Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. He was president of the Melbourne University Indonesian Studies and Language Association for two years.

Michael is passionate about Indonesia, with particular interests in the fields of history, religion, literature and bilateral business/finance. He has volunteered for NAILA since 2015 and began coordinating partnerships in 2018.

Minh Bui

Minh is an undergraduate student in the School of Economics, University of Sydney. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Young Researcher Scholarship (YRS) instituted by the Social Science and Humanities Research Association (SSHRA). Under this scholarship, he presented his research paper “Neoclassical and Classical perspectives on Competition in the Australian banking sector” at the VIth International Conference on Business, Economics, Law, Language & Psychology (ICBELLP) in Jakarta. He is also a recipient of a mobility grant under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s New Colombo Plan (NCP), where he undertook a semester exchange at Universitas Indonesia in the second half of 2018.

Minh is currently undertaking another semester exchange at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Minh has represented Australia as a delegate at the 8th Australia-China Emerging Leader’s Summit (ACELS8), held in Shanghai, China, on the theme of Sino-Australian trade, the challenges surrounding it, and the future trajectory of the Chinese economy.

He has also been very active in AIYA since 2018. Minh believes that an in-depth understanding of Indonesian language and culture are cornerstones for stronger cultural and trade relations between Australia and Indonesia. It is Minh’s hope that his contribution to NAILA can help Australians of all ages to undertake study of Indonesian language and culture.

Jade Lee

Jade is completing a double degree in Business and Arts, majoring in Economics and Indonesian. She hopes to finish her degree in 2020 by completing an ACICIS Semester Program in Yogyakarta.

She is the Sociocultural Officer for AIYA Yogyakarta and presently interns with the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC), which aims to strengthen business ties between Australia and Indonesia. Throughout 2019, Jade has organised cultural events that aim to encourage high school students to continue with their Indonesian language studies.

Since encountering Indonesian studies in high school, Jade’s passion to support the Australia-Indonesia relationship has continually expanded. She has participated in two ACICIS programs, including an intensive language learning program in Salatiga, Java, as well as the Business Professional Practicum in Jakarta. During her time in Jakarta in early 2019, she interned at Hill & Associates, a security risk firm active throughout South-East Asia. She also attended several AIYA Jakarta and professional networking events.

As she progresses through her degree and career, Jade hopes to be involved in the kind of work that is meaningful, significant and purposeful for both Australia and Indonesia.

Levina Risdya

As an Indonesian living in Australia, Levina is aware of the potential benefits of a strong bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Australia, as well as the shared interests and challenges. Joining AIYA has been a way of contributing to and strengthening the relationship and being a bridge between two countries. This is her second year as Engagement Coordinator for NAILA, and she also serves as AIYA QLD Chapter President.

Levina believes that language is a powerful tool that should be utilised to comprehend different cultures. NAILA’s goal to improve the study of Indonesian language in Australia fits her vision to enhance partnerships and networking between the two countries by encouraging communication and meaningful connections.

Levina holds a Bachelor degree in accounting from Universitas Gadjah Mada, and finished her Masters degree at UQ and Kaplan Business School. She is currently based in Brisbane and works as a financial analyst in a global credit ratings company.

Rebekah de Keijzer

Rebekah is a recent Law and International Studies graduate, majoring in Indonesian at Deakin University. Her love for Indonesia extends back to 2013, where she participated in the Indonesian Australian Association’s six-week high-school exchange to Bandung. Since then she has completed a language intensive at Universitas Negeri Padang and interned with the Victorian Trade and Investment Office in Jakarta. She is excited to join NAILA and advance Indonesian language studies across Australia.

Adeline Tinessia

Ade is currently pursuing an Honours degree in International Security Studies from the Australian National University focusing on health security and Indonesia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She lived in Indonesia until the end of primary school before moving to Canberra where she has lived for the past 10 years.

Ade’s interest is in non-traditional security in Southeast Asia and in particular the role of non-government organisations. She has interned at a women’s rights organisation in Singapore before returning on exchange to Yale-NUS with a Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship. She then interned at the Human Rights Working Group in Jakarta conducting field research on refugees in Jakarta. She has also interned at the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

Ade has been involved in AIYA in ACT since 2017 and is the AIYA Links Officer. She is passionate about exploring the grassroots bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Australia and improving each other’s cultural understanding. She believes the study of Indonesian language in Australia is an integral part of improving the bilateral relations and NAILA is an important aspect in the encouragement to study Indonesian.

Lachlan Haycock

Lachlan is a freelance writer and reviewer living on the lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people. He is an Arts (Honours) graduate in foreign languages and creative writing, and his thesis examined the transgressive attitudes of young writers in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. Lachlan is a New Colombo Plan Scholar and an alumnus of AIYEP, ACICIS and RUILI, and has volunteered extensively for organisations such as CAUSINDY and AIYA at national and chapter levels. A highlight of his NAILA involvement has been sharing in the passion for language learning and observing the valuable connections forged between awardees, their families, NAILA committee members and judges.

Wisnu Trianugeraha

Wisnu has a BA in International Relations, specialising in International Political Economy and Development Studies, and Australian Studies, from Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He has been involved in Australia-Indonesia relations since 2011 and is currently the Operations Officer (Indonesia) for AIYA National. He previously worked at the Office of International Affairs at Universitas Gadjah Mada as Program Coordinator overseeing international partnership agreements, and is currently undertaking his postgraduate degree in Canberra, Australia.

Agus Firman

Agus graduated from the English Department of Syiah Kuala University in Aceh. He currently works as a freelance English tutor, interpreter and translator. He has obtained extensive experience in teaching English since 2012 for numerous educational organisations both private and state. In the following year, he upgraded his skills in the field of translation as well as interpreting. As a result, he was involved in a variety of projects with both local and international institutions such as Green Doctor from South Korea in 2015 and the International Center for Aceh and Indian Ocean Studies (ICAIOS) from 2014 to 2017.

Agus has been an active member of the Office of International Affairs of Syiah Kuala University since 2015. He also participated in a student exchange program at the prestigious Scotch College in Perth, Western Australia in 2007. Spending a four-week experience in Australia made him realise how much Indonesia and Australia share mutual interests in improving prosperity for both countries.

Agus realises that language plays a paramount role in reinforcing the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Australia. Thus, he hopes joining NAILA as a Language Officer will provide him with an opportunity to have direct access to promoting the Indonesian language in Australia.

Darcy Murphy

Darcy is currently completing a Master of Teaching (Indonesian) after recently graduating from a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Informatics alongside a Diploma of Indonesian Language at the University of Melbourne.

Since beginning Indonesian language studies in primary school, Darcy has developed a keen interest in the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship. Darcy is an avid participant in AIYA and has spent time volunteering with both the Victoria and Yogyakarta chapters. He is also a member of the Krakatoas football club, a team made up of Indonesians living in Australia, and Australians with a strong connection to Indonesia.

He has completed a semester abroad through ACICIS at Universitas Gadjah Mada for his Diploma of Languages. He has also spent time studying at Universtias Udayana. Looking towards the future as he completes his degree, Darcy wishes to further involve himself in the Australia-Indonesia relationship.

Hillari Dita

Hillari earned her BSc in Public Health with a focus on Public Health Nutrition from Universitas Diponegoro. During her time as a student, she actively engaged in student organizations and became a research assistant. Currently she is assisting patient safety and quality committee at a hospital and freelancing as a translator.

Having a passion for community development, Hillari encourages herself to be involved in community services. Hillari has been involved in numerous volunteer and field work activities across Java. She is an active volunteer for Leprosy Care Community and previously volunteered for Nganget International Work Camp (NIWC) in 2015 and 2016. In 2015, she was the Indonesian delegate for the World Village Conference.

Hillai is also interested in research, project management and language learning. Hillari realises that not only are languages beneficial in communicating and connecting, but they can also help foster bilateral relationships. Through NAILA she hopes to contribute to developing and strengthening the Australia-Indonesia relationship.

Indra Pujianto

Indra is studying a Master Degree in International Relations at the University of Indonesia. He is originally from Bandar Lampung. Prior to his Master Degree, he studied at English Department, Diponegoro University in Semarang where he studied translation for two years from a basic to an advanced level. He found that learning translation is both challenging and fun. Currently, Indra is starting a translation service business in his hometown.

Indra is also actively involved in social and volunteering activities, such as Earth Hour Bandar Lampung, Berbagi Nasi Lampung, and Taman Baca Masyarakat Kampung Merdeka. He is also running an initiative named Social Synergy Lampung which aims to empower Lampung youth and engage them in social development processes.

In April 2017, Indra was selected as Lampung delegate for YSEALI Youth4Dev Academy Bootcamp in Semarang. In May 2017, he became the delegate of Indonesia to participate in Tech Camp in Bangkok, Thailand.

Indra hopes that by volunteering as a translator in NAILA, he can promote Indonesian language study in Australia and strengthen the bilateral relationship.

Joey Gildas

Joey completed his Master degree in Asia-Pacific Studies at ANU in 2017 with an Endeavour Scholarship from the Australian Department of Education and Training. He holds a Bachelor degree in International Relations from Pelita Harapan University (UPH) in Tangerang, Indonesia.

While studying in Australia, Joey acted as Delegates Coordinator at the 2016 Asia-Pacific Week committee. He also had the opportunity to tutor an Australian friend who was taking a university Indonesian course. Through the tutoring experience, he became interested in teaching Indonesian as a way of connecting Indonesians and Australians. He hopes by being a part of NAILA, he will be able to use the platform to improve Australia-Indonesia relations by promoting the language and Indonesia’s diverse cultures to Australians. He believes that by teaching Indonesian to Australians, Australians will be one step closer to understanding Indonesia as its closest neighbour.

Joey currently works in Bangkok in the business operations field. His interests are world geography, languages, traveling, and watching Youtube & Netflix.

Laura Reinwald

Based in Melbourne, Laura works in business development as a tender writer for a national NGO that works to combat homelessness and disadvantage across Australia. Alongside this, she is also currently undertaking a Master of Translation and Interpreting (Indonesian>English) at RMIT. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Languages (Indonesian) from the University of Melbourne, and during her undergraduate studies undertook a semester abroad at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta through the ACICIS program in 2012.

Her experience abroad, her interest in contemporary Asia issues and Australia’s engagement with Indonesia have motivated her to become part of the community dedicated to strengthening the bilateral relationship. Laura is a member of AIYA (acting as Treasurer of the Victoria Chapter in 2016), and is a dancer for Sanggar Lestari Melbourne, an Indonesian dance and theatre group. Though Sanggar Lestari, Laura has made lifelong friends and developed a strong understanding of how Indonesian culture is expressed through music and dance. Key highlights include dancing at her friend’s wedding in Yogyakarta, and traveling to Indonesia with Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism – Wonderful Indonesia, for a week of cultural immersion activities.  

Through her experiences, Laura feels positive about the future of the Australia-Indonesia relationship. Laura hopes to see continued and long-term investment in language learning, which she sees as being a key part of the future success for our two county’s bilateral relations.

Maria Amabilis Lolita Viviana

Lolita received her BA in English Literature from Universitas Sanata Dharma in Yogyakarta. Interested in learning English since young age, she is passionate about teaching English as foreign language and teaching Indonesian to foreign speakers.

Previously, Lolita worked as an English tutor, including for an Indonesian Language and Culture Intensive Course for foreign students at her university’s language centre. Beside teaching, Lolita also loves to learn foreign languages. In 2018, she was awarded a Huayu Enrichment Scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and recently completed her study at the Mandarin Training Center run by the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei.

Lolita has a high appreciation for anyone who is willing to learn and develop themselves. She believes that a strong and lifelong relationship between Indonesia and Australia is in the hands of youth, a belief which motivated her to volunteer for NAILA as a Language Officer.

Siti Nurhalimah

Siti currently works as a data analyst and scientist. In her spare time, she works as a freelance translator for local and international agencies. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Linguistics and Literature from the State University of Malang. She is interested in studying data science, AI, machine learning, programming languages, and linguistics as well as baking as a side hobby. She thinks that it is important to promote Indonesian language studies in Australia to maintain a stronger bond in the long term.