Main photo: Dancers performing the Kembang flower dance. Don’t be fooled by the title. The dance is inspired by the Betawi female warriors known as Mirah, who are in the dance practicing their martial arts skills. Above: John Gibson and Consul General Yayan G.H. Mulyana discussing UNE’s collaborations with Indonesia.

Professor John Gibson from the School of Environmental and Rural Science was in Sydney last week representing UNE at a very colourful event to recognise the 72nd anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

The reception, hosted by the Consul General of Indonesia, formally recognised the long history of collaborations between Indonesia and Australia, and was well attended by the diplomatic, political, business and armed forces community.