Australia Calling was founded and officially launched in Jakarta on 25 September 2010 to promote people to people friendship and cooperation between Indonesia and Australia. The founder Ratih Luhur were encouraged by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's speech about friendship between the two countries during his visit to Australia in March 2010. The name Australia Calling was inspired by 'Indones
ia Calling' a documentary film about friendship between Sydney multicultural waterside workers in supporting Indonesia's struggle for independence in 1945. Advisor - Charlotte Clayton Maramis
Australian senior journalist Charlotte Clayton Maramis was married to Indonesia freedom fighter, Anton Maramis. As a journalist who lived in Indonesia during the revolution (1949 - 1962), Charlotte is the witness to many historic moments during Indonesia struggle for independence. She assisted Herawati Diah's in the 1954 establishment of the first English language newspaper "Indonesia Observer"; and worked with the paper as foreign correspondent in Australia until the closure in 1998. Senior Mentor - Marzuki Usman
As the Senior Mentor, Marzuki Usman is guiding Australia Calling with a wealth business expertise, experience and network in the economic, banking worlds as well as ministerial roles including Tourism, Art and Culture Minister, Investment Minister, Transportation Minister ad interim, and Justice Minister ad interim as well as Forestry Minister. Founder & Program Director - Ratih Luhur
Successful entrepreneur and property investor, Ratih Luhur, holds a Masters Degree in Multimedia Design (Honours) and BSc (Arch) from the University of Sydney. While completing tertiary study, in 1988 Ratih established a successful photographic business in Sydney. As a creative director, Ratih is frequently appointed as curator, advisor and judge for a variety of art and cultural projects. Ratih's creative talent has been awarded several international awards including The William Van Allen International Awards from NIAE in New York. To expand her multi-cultural exposure Ratih spent several years in the airline and travel industry. From travel she moved to healing and soon found herself traveling intensively to teach at seminars in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, USA, Indonesia and Japan. Ratih's impressive client list includes international celebrities such as Wieteke Van Dort (Dutch actress comedian aka Tante Lien), SwanHildur (Iceland sculptor designer), Juan Nakamori (Japanese author of Angel Messages), Takanori Tamura (Japanese inventor of Eight Star Diamond), Michiko Inamoto (Japanese spiritual presenter of Miyazaki Sunshine FM). www.ratihluhur.com
