
Offered for the first time in 2013, the scholarship has been awarded to Maire for her commitment to and skills in Indonesian language. Headmaster, Dr David Nockles applauded Maire for her enthusiasm and dedication to Indonesian. Dr Nockles said “Indonesian is a strategically important language for Australian students and I am delighted that Maire has been selected to study in Yogyakarta next year". He added that "The school is deeply committed to developing our students’ Asia literacy and intercultural understanding and learning Indonesian is integral to this.”
The scholarship was awarded to Marie at a school assembly last Friday where visitors from AIA, the Commonwealth Bank and the Indonesian embassy were present. Guests, students and teachers were treated to Indonesian rock music, stories of helicopters in the Kalimantan jungle and private jets across Java as the Australia-Indonesia Association and Commonwealth Bank announced Maire as the winner of the inaugural AIACommBank Scholarship.
“Indonesia offers incredible work and travel experiences. By offering this scholarship the Australia Indonesia Association is motivating interest in the subject,” enthused Miriam Tulevski, Education Convenor of the AIA NSW while sharing some of her Indonesian work experiences.
“We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural winner of the scholarship, Maire Playford, an Indonesian Continuers student from Macarthur Anglican School. Maire is a highly capable young lady and will return with a deeper, practical knowledge of our neighbour which will benefit her school, her career and her personal development,” added Ms Tulevski.
The scholarship, a two week language immersion course in Yogyakarta, including return flights, was organised by the Australia Indonesia Association of NSW and sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank and the Indonesian Embassy.
Prior to handing over the tickets to the winner, Geoff Coates, Executive General Manager, International Financial Services, Commonwealth Bank said, “You get to a point in life where you look back and you look forward and you see where the future is. And the future is in Asia.”
Providing some background on why the Commonwealth Bank sponsored the scholarship Mr Coates added “Education is an important pillar of Commonwealth Bank's social responsibility programs. We employ over 2500 people in Indonesia and we are very supportive of this great initiative to improve understanding and engagement with Indonesia.”
The Australia Indonesia Association of NSW is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation established in 1945 to encourage cultural exchange and to promote friendship and understanding between Australians and Indonesians. Activities include education initiatives, talks, tours, dinners, fundraising and adult language classes with WEA.