Pesan Presiden - Term One Update 2026

A HEBAT Start to 2026!

Our first official function for the year was a great success. We recently gathered to recognise the incredible achievements of students who reached the prestigious 40+ study score mark in 2025. Out of 28 eligible students, 20 were able to join us at the Celebration of Excellence to receive their certificates and celebrate. It was truly hebat to see their hard work acknowledged in person. Selamat! Dan seribu terima kasih kepada Bu Helena Anggraeni for her vision. 

Annual Conference: Hubungan Erat dan Hormat

Where did Term One go? Only three weeks into Term Two, we will be gathering for the VILTA Annual Conference. Our theme this year is "Hubungan Erat dan Hormat". You can help achieve one of our goals of strengthening connections between Indonesian educators across Victoria by coming to the conference! 

Keynote: We are thrilled to welcome Michael Hatherell, a highly recommended speaker whose insights will be incredibly relatable.

• New for 2026: We are excited to present a new component this year, with a panel of former students to be interviewed by Joel Backwell.

• Workshops & Food: The workshop offerings look fantastic! I would like to go to all of them. And of course, right up there with what we look forward to at the conference - it will be an Indonesian buffet for makan siang.

• Sponsors: Please support the sponsors who do so much towards supporting Indonesian language teachers. From trips to resources, wander around and hear what they have to offer. 

  
  

Registrations are now open on the website. Please get yours in, then watch the space as we finalise the remaining "TBC" spaces!

Sayembara Lisan

Behind the scenes, the committee has been conducting a thoughtful and detailed review of Sayembara Lisan. Recognising the increased pressure on teachers' time and the hurdles of obtaining permissions for excursions, we have moved Sayembara to online submissions. 

Certificates will be awarded for various levels of attainment. Registrations are open. Just go to the Events page on the VILTA website. 

While we must "move with the times" to keep our programs sustainable, we know the desire for face-to-face interaction remains strong and is vitally important. Various suggestions have been put forward about ways to achieve this, and more are welcome. Network gatherings where schools join for language and cultural activities is one of the ideas. 

Network News: MUNC and Cultural Outreach

A huge terima kasih to our very own committee member, Katherine Davidsen, for the hours she has put into translating the materials for MUNC, and to Bu Junny for her proofreading. MUNC is now officially full! We look forward to hearing more in the post-event report.

We also love seeing the many Indonesian events happening around the State. It is great to hear so many schools have taken up the offer to visit KJRI or host them on-site. If you do have them there, please write in and let us know so we can share it with others. Hubungan erat! Jangan lupa, if you are organising any events, VILTA might be able to help cover some costs, so don't hesitate to ask.

Professional Learning Beyond VILTA

Finally, I encourage everyone to keep an eye on the Languages Teachers of Victoria website. They have a fantastic array of events that are extremely practical and relevant. Many are available online after school hours, providing accessible PD.

Notably, Gianfranco Conti is coming in May! This is a wonderful opportunity to dive into his highly regarded methods. Wah!  He is in Ballarat the week after our conference, too. More Wah!

Closing Message: Selamat Berlibur!

As I finish my first Term One as President I have been thinking about the incredible energy it takes to be a teacher. To be honest, I feel lemah, lelah, lesu just thinking about it, and that it was me for empat puluh tahun!

You are all pahlawan. I hope you can baik bersantai selama liburan maupun diberikan waktu to catch up on whatever is needed so that you can go into Term Two with renewed SEMANGAT. I can’t think of anything better than sharing the love of Indonesia and all things Indonesian with the children and young people in our classes. What a privilege. 

And, I can’t think of a better way to menghabiskan waktu luang than reading the report which is HOT OFF THE PRESS, ‘Enhancing Australian Schools’ Engagement with Indonesia: https://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/education/publication/indonationalroundtable/

Let us know what you think, and if you have any calls to action after reading this. 

Selamat Berlibur! (Hampir…)

Salam Hangat,

Jill Kube

VILTA President, 2026