Olivia's Speech Text on Australia Awards Dinner Reception

His Excellency Ambassador of Australia to Indonesia, Mr. Greg Moriarty;

Australia Awards recipients;

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,


It is my great pleasure to stand here tonight representing my fellow Australia Awards recipients, these young bright scholars and the future leaders of Indonesia.

Let me start this speech with my short story. Back in 2009 was the first time my feet landed in a completely foreign country named Australia. I was there for a study abroad scholarship program. Little did I know it would be a life changing experience. The excellent education system brought forefront on the first day of my class made me realize immediately that one day I want to return to continue my further study. Four years later, as I am standing here at the podium the dream came true. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the government of Australia for giving me the way to reach my dream.

When I say thank you, I am not just speaking for myself. I speak on behalf of all awardees. We are all feeling very lucky and at the same time honored to be able to receive this precious scholarship.

Our sincere gratitude also goes to our own employers – both from Indonesian Government and from Non Government institutions-- who have shown boundless support for us. Thank you very much.


Ladies and gentlemen,

For most of the awardees, this will be the first time studying in Australia. Despite all the anxiety of starting a new life in a foreign land, far away from home, we are all looking forward to the imminent experiences: a first class university system, comfortable study environment, and not to forget the four seasons. Deep down in our hearts, we know that our experience of studying in Australia would definitely change our perceptions, our lives, and even our future.

We’ll definitely meet new people, not only Australian but also other international students from various countries all around the world. I am sure that every individual whom we encounter in Australia will be our precious personal and professional contacts in the future. This is one of the great things coming out of the Australia Awards, the enduring ties between individuals of different nations.


Ladies and gentleman, 

Australia Awards as you know has a long heritage commencing in the early 1950s with the Colombo Plan. It is such a priviledge to be part of such a long standing program and later on join the troops of thousands of alumni who have made significant contributions to the development of Indonesia and to the bilateral ties between Indonesia and Australia.

I would also like to express my proud feeling to be one out of four Indonesians to receive the Allison Sudradjat Prize this year. I am honored and humbled to be part of the legacy of Allison Sudradjat who made such an outstanding contribution to the development in Indonesia, especially during her years served at AusAID.

I am totally aware that this is a rare opportunity and therefore I determine to use the prize to develop my individual potential and later on to contribute to the society.

I am, myself, intending to study a Master of Environmental Management and Development at the Australian National University in the 2nd Semester of 2015.

Once I return from my study, I have a mission to help the government of Indonesia in developing its environmental policy and ultimately to help people who suffer by environmental mismanagement.

Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And that is what I am trying to apply through my future education in Australia and through my contribution to the society once I return back home.

After all, I am just a daughter of my father and my mother. Apart from my deep passion towards the development of Indonesia, all the positive contribution I am trying to create aims to make my parents proud of me.

Finally, on behalf of all awardees, I would like to close my speech by expressing our upmost sincere thanks to the Government of Australia and all the parties who help run the Australia Awards program.

Thank you very much for trusting us this prestigious scholarship, once again thank you!


Date       :  12 December 2013
Location : Ambassador of Australia, Greg Moriarty, Residence




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