Front Cover: Life Down Under

December 2008 magazine: Readers Comments
Welcome from KGI
How much do things cost in Australia?
Kang Guru Voices
Idioms Inggris with Sue
Quick Fix
Life Down Under Part 1
Life Down Under Part 2
Life Down Under Part 3
Life Down Under Part 4
The Australia Indonesia Partnership (AIP)
Oz-Indo Connections
Kang Guru Connection Club - the last!
The Joeys Down Under
Kang Guru in the Classroom
Entertainment - Australia
Different Pond Different Fish (DPDF)
Kang Guru News Room
Life Down Under - a melting pot!

PODCASTS from March 2009 magazine in both English and Bahasa Indonesia - listen, or download and save

5 AM Down Under

Hi KGI, I really want to know is there any activity at 5am in Australia? Maybe all the housewives are cooking at that time like here in Indonesia? Thanks for the magazine - I love it every time.

An Aceh Anecdote

My name is Zamzami and I am a student of State Institute for Islamic Studies Ar-Raniry Aceh (TEN). I had a lot of experiences when I was studying at my boarding school Pondok Pesantren Misbahul Ulum Paloh in Lhokseumawe. It was a conflict area between the free Aceh movement and the Indonesian military. Hearing the sound of shooting and bombs became our daily routine but it didn’t make us give up studying English. In our pesantren we always communicate in English. We can now speak English well because of Kang Guru. Our English teachers now have a good relationship with KGI. Our English materials are taken from KGI. Once the army investigated our pesantren and asked me several questions  in Bahasa Indonesia. I answered, ”I’m sorry brother, I can’t answer your question in Indonesian. We will be punished by our teacher if we use Indonesian.” He stopped asking me again because maybe he didn’t understand me. Thank you very much for my best teacher Kang Guru. Always give me the spirit .............

Zamzami in Lhokseumawe, NAD

What a very interesting email Zamzani, thank you! I’m sure your story will inspire lots of people who are reading this KGI magazine. That is the spirit that everyone needs to learn English! We wish you all the best and stay enthusiastic about learning English!

Send us CD please ...

I’m glad that I met Ayu in Bone so that I got more information about KGI and I’m more motivated. I’m eager to open an English Club at my school. I got information from your website that Kang Guru has CDs and cassettes. Can I have them for my new club? Thank you very much!
Nini Salwa Istiqamah, Bone, Sulawesi

I remember you Nini. We’ll send you a club booklet and a few compilation Kang Guru CDs for your club to use.

This decorative envelope is from Adinda Embun Firdausi in Jember, East Java

Life in Banyuwangi

I have been your active member since 2002. I was the leader of one of your KGCCs in Banyuwangi, MINAK JINGGO ENGLISH CLUB. I was elected to be a headmaster of an elementary school in my village. Really that’s why I am always so busy.

But lately I realize that I must wake up and continue my ambition to improve my English and my students’ English too. Thanks to God for this month when I can help Pak Bowo do my English activity by presenting the KGI program in Banyuwangi on Radio Suara Habibulloh.

Abd. Muqsith, S.Pd in Banyuwangi

Dear Muqsith, why haven’t you been in touch with KGI for such a long time! You have missed so much information from us. But it's good to hear that you are back on track! Enjoy the magazine and stay active, don’t lose touch again!

Memories

My name is Fitri Fauziyah. We met Kevin in my junior high school (SMPN 3 Peterongan) Pondok Pesantren Darul Ulum in March 2005. I forgot that you took our picture. I saw it on the Kang Guru website Travel Report 2005. That was beautiful memory and the greatest experience I ever had. That year became my special year at SMPN 3 because I was the only one who got the perfect mark in the final English examination. Now I study at STIE SYARIAH University, Surabaya. I still get the Kang Guru magazine regularly. I always join the quizzes even though I haven't won yet. Thanks for being a great magazine for me. I am always waiting for the magazine.

Fitri, we do remember that visit and all the students we met. Thanks for having such wonderful memory.

Iffatun Nida in Babat, Lamongan

Quite honestly, the vast majority of people, including housewives, are still fast asleep at 5 o'clock in the morning in Australia. Maybe dairy farmers would be awake or shift workers going home but as for everyone else ........

Poverty Line in Australia

Talking about Life Down Under, there are so many questions I have. I am just curious if there are local people who live below the poverty line? Do their children need to take a job to help support the family?

Ricki Mumpuni in Bojonegoro

Dear Ricki, like all families in Australia, children from low income families must remain at a school (full time) until they are 16 years of age. However many would have jobs in their spare time.

Australia and Indonesia

I am Ahdi Hidayat Al-Qoyyimi. I am in the third year of SMPN 1 Suela, Lombok Timur. My hobbies are reading, sport, listening to the radio, and much more. I like your programs on your radio broadcast and reading your magazine. I always listen to your program because it is helping me improve my English. I think KGI is a great program to develop the relationship between Indonesia and Australia. In 2009/2010 I will continue my study at SMK or SMA. I know that my English is not good enough but I hope it will get better through KGI programs. Please add my name and my address to your mailing list so I can receive the KGI magazine regularly.

Ahdi Hidayat in Lombok Timur

Hi Ahdi! Thanks for your email. We have put your name in our database so from now on you will receive the magazine regularly. Good luck with your English and of course your studies!

Shortened words - Down Under versions

You may think your English is pretty good. However when you try to communicate with an Aussie you kind of feel lost because you can't understand what the person is saying. It's probably because many Aussies like to shorten words when speaking, usually by taking the first part of the word off and ending the word with either ie or o. In the Indonesian language the same thing is also done. Indonesians tend to say lapan instead of delapan, makasih instead of terimakasih.

Here's Sonia and Kevin have an Aussie-type chat about a BBQ event:

See the words in the green box below. The words in the left column are shortened from the original words on the right. Can you match them up?

(Listen to Bahasa Indonesia)

What are your favorite Indonesian shortened words?
Send five of your favorites to KGI by SMS before April 30th, okay?

Maybe we can use them in the June 2009 edition of this magazine — thanks!

I'm interesting to go to Oz to see Uluru.
I'm interested to go to Oz to see Uluru.

Darling Harbour is an interested place to visit.
Darling Harbour is an interesting place to visit.

He was exciting to see the koalas at the Australia Zoo.
He was excited to see the koalas at the Australia Zoo.

I had an excited time in Melbourne riding bicycles.
I had an exciting time in Melbourne riding bicycles.

We use the ing form of interest to talk about the subject. For example —

When I was in Oz I met so many interesting people.
The road trip to the outback was exciting.

We use the ed form of interest to talk about how people feel. For example —

I'm interested in Australian history.
Doni was excited to go on a tram around Sydney.

Pak Hasbullah from Sumbawa is an Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) student currently studying in Adelaide. In mid-January this year, he visited the KGI office. It was actually the day he left for Adelaide. Here is his most recent email to KGI dated January 29th.

What you told me before I departed Bali is absolutely true. I experienced the hottest day I have ever known cos on the second day in Adelaide it was 43 degrees. I thought that was the worst but I was wrong because for the last 3 days it has been more than 44 degrees and yesterday, the temperature reached 45.7. That is terribly hot and the forecast on tv predicted it will continue for a week. This situation caused blackouts in several areas in Adelaide for at least 2 hours this afternoon due to the electricity circuit system failing. This also happened in Melbourne last night.

For outdoor activities, I am always wearing a hat, long sleeves and suntan lotion to avoid burning. I thought I would be strong facing the hot days in Adelaide because I grew up in a quite hot area in Sumbawa (NTB) but it is completely different to here. I have to sit in front of my electric fan when doing my homework because my room has no air conditioning.

Many people say that Australia is obsessed with big things. That is probably because you can find so many big things all over Oz. Here is what Agung Sudiani said about something big in Oz.

When I first went to a vegetable market in Oz I was shocked to see how big the fruit and veggies were. The watermelons were three times the size that we have here and the cauliflowers, carrots, limes, ginger ... almost everything was bigger!

Apart from the things that you can see and buy in the market you can also find some roadside attractions of enormous size that attract people who may be passing by.

The Big Gumboot is located in Tully, Queensland. Tully is known as the wettest town in Australia. The town holds the record for the highest annual rainfall in a populated area in Australia. The big gumboot is located in the town's park. Gumboots are good for wet weather, right?

The Big Banana

The Big Banana is located just north of Coffs harbour, NSW. Because of its enormous size and eye catching colour it has become a popular place to visit. People can walk around the Big Banana's own banana plantation, go to the cafe or gift shops where they can find so many banana-related gifts and souvenirs.

A very bad day Down Under - February 7th, 2009

Indonesia is no stranger to natural disasters whether they be volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides or tsunamis. Australia has its own set of problems with natural disasters. Australia does not experience volcanic eruptions or even earthquakes on a regular basis but bushfires are top of the list where natural disasters are concerned Down Under.

(Listen to Bahasa Indonesia)

I am sorry to tel you that firestorms do occur in Australia especially in the southern states during the hot summer from Dec. to March each year. February 7th, 2009 was indeed a terrible day in the lives of so many australians. In Victoria bushfires, or firestorms, killed many, many people while destroying whole towns particularly in the southern state of Victoria.

Firestorms are when a wall of flames/fire moves extremely fast through an area. This area is usually very dry and generally it is bushland - hutan - or forest. Most of the areas destroyed on February 7th were bushland areas where people lived in small towns and on farms.

Ahwandi from Dolop-Madiun sent an SMS to KGI on Feb. 9th - I am sorry to hear of the forest fires in your country and I pray for the Australian people and give them my sympathy.

Hery is a student at Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu. He wrote to KGI and asked KGI about driving in Australia.

Australians drive on the left hand side of the road, the same side as Indonesians. The speed limit in urban areas is usually 50kph. If you are driving in the wide open spaces out woop woop on outback roads for instance, the speed limit is usually 100 – 110kph. Drivers should always drive to the left of the road except when overtaking. If you are trying to enter a roundabout then you must give way to cars already on the roundabout (bunderan). Motorists must use their left hand indicator to signal when they are leaving the roundabout. The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts. Babies and small children must be fastened in special car seats at all times.

It is not unusual for Australians to drive long distances such as 300 or 400km for a party or special event. Because many main roads are in good condition and the traffic fairly light this type of trip may only take three or four hours. It is easy to do in Australia.

Service Stations in Australia

Service stations in Australia sell more than petrol. There is usually a shop where you can buy drinks, sweets, snacks, magazines and books. Sometimes there is a fast food outlet there too. There are always toilets too. Petrol stations in Australia are self-service. After filling up your car you go to the shop to pay. You tell the cashier which pump you used and he can check from a computer how much you owe. Free air and water are always available so you can add water to your engine or blow up your tyres. At some service stations there is a car wash and a repair workshop. Would you like to see some service stations in Indonesia have these facilities?

If you are driving in the outback in Australia you should be well prepared. Many of the roads are unpaved and dusty. There may be hundreds of kilometers between petrol stations. You should take at least 10 litres of drinking water per person plus blankets in case you break down. It can get very hot during the day and very cold at night. Some of the dangers on the outback roads are native animals (kangaroos) but also road trains too. Road trains are huge trucks which can be up to 55 metres long (that’s the same as twelve Toyota Kijangs). And don’t expect your mobile phone to work in the outback. You should have a satellite phone or 2-way radio.

What about costs?

Petrol is about AUD$1.10 a litre in most cities. However in outback areas such as in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, drivers must pay up to AUD$1.60 a litre. Some toll motorways, bridges and tunnels in the city areas charge up to AUD$8.00 each time you use them.

Riding bicycles Down Under by Kevin

I am from Melbourne originally but haven’t really lived there for quite a few years. I was in Melbourne last December and I was amazed by the number of people who were riding bicycles. I don’t mean riding bicycles around their local area or just on weekends for fitness and fun, but the number of people who ride bicycles to work. I was in the center of Melbourne in the morning traffic and there were hundreds and hundreds of people going to work on bicycles. They had backpacks on and I assume that in those backpacks they had their clothes for the day at the office.

Even more helpful to the cyclist are bicycle paths. That’s right, bicycle paths have been installed on the side of main roads where only bicycles are allowed to go. They are safe and quick. Bicycle riders have the same rights as motorists.

Caravan Park Life

Not all Australians live in houses or flats. In Australia, holiday parks, caravan parks, and camping groups also provide homes for hundreds and thousands of Australians. Residents of these parks sometimes live in caravans, either their own or a rented one. Some people live in rented cabins or mobile homes. Some people are short-term residents, perhaps on holidays (see picture below) but many people live there almost permanently.

Park facilities often include kitchens, internet kiosks, showers, and even five-star resort facilities including pools, spas, restaurants and surround sound theatre systems. Some caravan parks are more basic, especially in the country or outback area of Australia.

How do you get to work?

In Australia, just like in Indonesia, many people travel to work in the city from the suburbs. So how do they get there? Many drive cars and that means there are rush hour traffic jams in all Aussie cities! Many people also use public transport. Catching a bus in Australia is quite different to Indonesia. Buses, trains and trams run on a schedule. The most popular routes may have buses every 10 minutes. Other services might run every couple of hours. Bus drivers only pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops. It is quite common for people to have to walk 15 or 20 minutes to their closest bus stop. You pay the driver as you get on. To save money and time many passengers buy pre-paid stored value cards. They can be used on all types of public transport. People over 65 can get reduced rates on public transport by applying for a travel card. Passengers are not allowed to eat or drink on public transport. No musicians are allowed! During rush hour public transport is very crowded and you may not get a seat. You are not allowed to ride on the roof!

A Free Ride

For the first time in Australia beginning Jan. 2009, all students in full time education in the Northern Territory can travel free on scheduled buses. Students must show the bus driver their student identification (ID) card.

Eva Kasim is from West Sumatra. In 1998 Eva went to Australia on an Australian Development Scholarship (ADS). Eva studied in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Science at Deakin University in Melbourne for two years. Eva now works at the Dept. of Social Affairs, Directorate General for Social Affairs and Rehabilitation in Jakarta.

So how was Life Down Under for Eva? First of all she was amazed by the strong academic atmosphere of her campus and the positive environment it had. The infrastructure of the university, staff and fellow students were a wonderful support to her during those years. Eva was quite used to the difficulties faced by the disabled. In Australia different agencies provide much of the care and support needed by disabled people. Families also help as they do here in Indonesia but Eva didn't have her family with her at Deakin. University and local government agencies work hard to ensure that disabled people are provided for and are independent. Eva really appreciated her independence. Providing infrastructure such as ramps and wide doorways enabled Eva, like many other physically disabled students, to get around quite easily. At Deakin there were no restrictions. Eva, for example, was supplied with a scooter wheel chair by the university plus special private health insurance. No matter what country or background students are from they are treated equally.

In 2008, Eva was awarded an Inspiration Award at the Australian Alumni Dinner in Jakarta. Along with five other outstanding alumni this award was in recognition of their tireless work helping to improve the lives of others. To check the results of the 2009 Australian Alumni Awards -
www.ozmate.org

Tatum S. Adiningrum, or better known as Ifa, went to Flinders University in June 2006 to study her Masters in Educational Management. Her background was actually in politics but she really needed to upgrade her qualifications to include education. Ifa had applied for an Australian scholarship four times before actually becoming successful.

When she and her friends arrived in Adelaide to start their studies they were all surprised at the size of the international airport. It was quite small. They wondered if they were actually in Adelaide at all as the place seemed so quiet and sort of slow-paced. Study soon took over and Ifa was writing 6–7,000 word assignments and mixing constantly with other students and her lecturers.

The thing she found so wonderful about Life Down Under was the informality both at the university and even in social situations there. Ifa says that lecturers didn’t look ‘scary’ often dressing quite casually for work. Talking to them was also informal, relaxed and helpful. There seemed to be no gap between them and their students. University was a friendly place and not at all intimidating.

Ifa works at the Indonesia Australia Language Foundation in Surabaya as an External Relations Officer. You can hear Ifa on KGI later this year talking about how her study in Australia is really helping her now with her work in Surabaya.

Opan is studying English literature in Makassar and particularly enjoys the work of authors William Wordsworth and Shakespeare. He loved living and working in Australia and often felt like it was his second home. He loved the Life Down Under. First he worked at a Muslim radio station in Bankstown, a suburb of Sydney. It was a community radio station that broadcast in both Arabic and English to the thousands of muslims who lived in the area. In Macksville he taught bahasa Indonesia and it was there that he got to know his students. He found students to be keen to learn bahasa Indonesia and about life in Indonesia. He was also quite amazed at how tolerant Aussies were of other cultures and religions that weren't the same as theirs.

Hari Wiksana is from Gianyar in Bali. He really loved the food in Australia. Food is a terrific part of Life Down Under according to Hari. One of the interesting functions to do with food in Australia is the BBQ. Hari told KGI that at BBQs people talk a lot and enjoy themselves, tell jokes and get to know each other better. BBQs are usually held in the afternoon and evening and Aussies love them. At one BBQ the AIYEP Indonesian participants introduced satay to the menu and of course the Australians loved that. hari says that through food we can get to know other cultures quite easily. As a part of his AIYEP experience Hari, who is training to be a doctor, worked with NSW Drug Users & AIDS Association.

Last December KGI told you about BRIDGE - Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement Project. Did you read that story in the AusAID section on page 8? If you did, then you will know that during 2009, BRIDGE participants from Indonesia are going to Australia to work with Australian teachers and students in their schools. After three weeks in Australia the ninety participants will return to their schools here in Indonesia to develop sister-school relationships between their students and the students they met in Australia. The Indonesian teachers will develop project-based learning activities with their Aussie counterparts.

In late January the first group of thirty participants arrived at IALF in Bali to begin their pre-departure BRIDGE training with Kang Guru. Participants arrived from West Kalimantan, East Java, Mataram, South Sulawesi and Bali to find out more about BRIDGE, the exciting task ahead of them, and to work on their computer and internet skills. The BRIDGE project relies heavily on the ability of teachers and students, both in Indonesia and Australia, to work together through the internet. Aaron O'Shannessy from AEF in Melbourne was there to give the participants the latest news about the project. Josephine Ratna from the Australian Education Center in Surabaya dispensed valuable visa and passport information.

BRIDGE is presented by AusAID in collaboration with the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) based in Melbourne, the Myer Foundation, and the Australia Indonesia Institute (AII).

www.kangguru.org/ausaidprojects/2008_BRIDGE.html

Australia Indonesia Youth
Exchange Program 2008-9

If you think about what it would be like to live in Australia for a couple of months on a student exchange, perhaps then the AIYEP story is a good one to follow. KGI has been telling you about AIYEP for many years in places such as Barabai (2007) and Mataram (2008). This year the participants lived and worked together in Lumajang and Surabaya, East Java, after their two month stint in Australia. Did you know that the 18 Indonesian participants always live and work in Australia first? Then they meet up with the 18 Aussie participants and all 36 of them come to Indonesia to work together in a village and a city environment. Interesting, don't you agree?

Kang Guru visited them in mid December 2008 at Pondok Pesantren Al Fauzan, Lumajang. The school is an Australia Indonesia Basic Education Program school (AIBEP) opened in 2007 - just one of the 2,000 SMP schools being built across Indonesia by AIBEP. The school looks fantastic and from what we saw on the day of the AIYEP visit, it is going to grow and develop into an excellent school. Classrooms are full of childrens’ work, including many examples of their English language skills talking about their lives and their brand-new school. Students at PP Al Fauzan not only learn English and Indonesian but like many other pondok pesantren schools, they also learn Arabic.

Kang Guru gave the school a wide selection of merchandise and materials and Pak Muhammad, a young teacher at the school, was keen to hear how Kang Guru will continue to send magazines and materials to them in the near future. Pak Mahammad (above right) was also surprised to hear that KGI can be heard every week on radio in Lumajang - Radio EZHA FM every Monday at 15.00 WIB on 103.90 MHz.

KGI also caught up with the AIYEPs again at SMA 15 in Surabaya in early February (see below) this year where there were more cultural performances and a football match. Several of the teachers at SMA 15 are involved with the BRIDGE program so KGI caught up with them too. It was a great day so be sure to check it out on the KGI website.

Check out all the pics and news on KGI's Travel Pages -
www.kangguru.org/kgretravel.htm
(check Lumajang 2008 and Surabaya 2009)

Journalists are an important part of today’s world. Without them the latest news and opinions on what’s going on today would not be available.

Kartika Sari is Executive Editor of Foreign Affairs with Rakyat Merdeka, a popular daily political newspaper here in Indonesia. She has a strong interest in developing understanding and improving communication between Indonesia and Australia and has previously written about political dialogue between the two countries. Sophie Morris has a keen interest in improving her understanding of the challenges facing Indonesia in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, food security issues, education, and the role of Australian development assistance.

Kartika and Sophie have recently been awarded Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Awards from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australia-Indonesia Institute. The awards are given annually to two journalists, one Australian and one Indonesian. It is open to print, radio, television and internet journalists. They will each spend up to three weeks in-country meeting government officials, academics, industry representatives, non-government organisations and community members, to build a stronger understanding and appreciation of the issues facing contemporary Indonesia and Australia.

The program aims to assist journalists develop expertise in areas such as foreign and trade policy, development assistance, culture, people-to-people links, and education.

Have you ever thought of becoming a journalist? Just like many young Indonesians, many young Aussies also dream about working in the media as journalists. Many of those are really looking forward to becoming foreign correspondents and working overseas. In January 2009, thirty-three journalism students from Australia undertook a six-week program in Indonesia which began with Indonesian language classes at Atmajaya University. Then they had a chance to practice their journalism skills as interns at some of Jakarta's foremost media organizations including Tempo, MetroTV, RRI, Radio 68H, Jakarta Globe and The Jakarta Post.

Marcus Ross and Simon Johnson, both studying Graduate Diplomas in Journalism, were two of the visiting journalists. KGI interviewed them in Jakarta at the recent Australian Film Festival and you can hear them talking about their experiences in Indonesia soon on the KGI radio program. Simon and Marcus will also be featured in the June 2009 magazine talking about why they love visiting Indonesia.

Midwife training equipment in NTB

Mothers and their babies are very important - true or false? I am sure we would all agree with that statement – it's TRUE. New equipment in the Midwifery Department of Kupang's Health Polytechnic School will be used to teach students to care for women during labour, manage emergencies and resuscitate new-born babies. Recent Indonesian statistics show that for every 100,000 live births in Indonesia, 228 women died as a result of childbirth and almost 40 in every 1,000 infants die before their fifth birthday. Australia is providing more than Rp 260,730,000 worth of midwife training equipment to help save the lives of pregnant women and their babies in Nusa Tenggara Timur. Funded under the A$49 million Australia Indonesia Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health.
www.indo.ausaid.gov.au/projects/aip-mnh.html

EINRIP, Roads and Truckies and Places

A big part of Life Down Under are truckies and the trucks they drive taking goods and services all over the country. Australia, just like Indonesia, is a big country. Indonesia relies heavily on trucks to deliver goods, right? There are trains in Java but for the rest of the country the truck is the main method of transportation for goods and services. Good roads and bridges are important for heavy trucks.

The Eastern Indonesia National Road Improvement Project (EINRIP) is supporting 25 major road and bridge improvement projects throughout Eastern Indonesia. The Directorate General of Highways (Bina Marga) has already called tenders for 6 packages of road and bridge works, and one tender for the supply of fabricated steel bridge units. A contract has been awarded for the Tohpati-Kusamba project in Bali, and construction is expected to get underway during March 2009. Contracts for other packages already tendered are expected to be finalized in March 2009. Tenders for the other 19 packages will be called progressively during 2009. Construction work will continue through 2011. For more information -
www.kangguru.org/ausaidprojects/2008-einrip.htm

Australia is one of the countries that helped Indonesia when the country was hit by tsunami and earthquakes in Aceh and Nias Islands, North Sumatra. “The Australian military provided humanitarian assistance and A$1 million in assistance was made available. Eleven Australian soldiers died when they gave assistance to Nias. This is part of partnership between Indonesia and Australia, where the two sides help each other in need,” said Presidential Spokesperson Dino Patti Djalal.

Are there any towns in Indoenesia which you think have funny sounding names? Send them to KGI by SMS before A[pril 30th, 23009 so that we can include them in the June 2009 KGI magazine.

In late 2008, KGI said goodbye to the last two Kang Guru Connection Clubs (KGCC). The KGCC network had been running for over 7 years but as they say in Australia - all good things come to an end. And as for final Get Togethers, what a great ending those two events were.

Sue and Ayu traveled to Mamuju in Sulawesi on 28th November 2008 for the Final Get Together there. On the big day there was a huge crowd already waiting for them at the venue – it was fantastic. There were students from SMP, SMA, universities and English Clubs. After a short opening greeting from Kahar, the leader of Excellent English Conversation Club, each group came to the stage and gave a performance in English. Sue and Ayu listened to songs and poems, then Yell Yells, followed by club members introducing themselves. Dramas followed and everything was in English. Everything!

The students were enthusiastic and really tried hard to perform their best. Some teachers also came to the stage and gave their opinions about Kang Guru. One of the teachers, Mr Alauddin from Pulowali, had traveled over 6 hours with two cars full of students to be at the event. Over lunch Sue and Ayu and all club members listened to some bambu suling music from a local school and watched traditional dancing from a professional music troupe. After lunch it was Kang Guru’s turn to supply the entertainment until 3pm. The KGI activities went overtime but no one complained. A great day was had by all.

Thanks to Kahar, the leader of EECC English club and friends, Burhanuddin, Imran, Liun, and Anty who accompanied Ayu on her school visits and who helped make her stay unforgettable! Ayu stayed for two extra days to present a KGI Teacher Workshop and visit some schools in Mamuju. Ayu visited SMA 1 Mamuju, SMPKN Rangas and SMPN1 Kalukkuk.

The Lombok Get Together was held at IAIN Mataram on 22nd November, 2008. This KGCC Get Together was attended by members of ALFA English Club, Gado-Gado English Club, Sasak English Club and L’GENDA English Club. The clubs presented performances including poems, songs and dances for everyone to enjoy. Several club leaders gave reflections about their club and the involvement they have had with KGI over the past years. They talked about how KGI has helped their clubs grow and develop and that now these clubs were more prepared to continue for many years to come. The good news is that Pak Fadel, a KGI Champion, has developed the Lombok English Club Network to keep these, and maybe others, active and vibrant.

Kevin and Ayu were there from KGI and special guest was Mr. Geoff Crewes, CEO of IALF. The Rector of IAIN Mataram, Dr. Mansur Mahsum, and Pak Mushinin, both Australian scholarship alumni, attended the opening ceremonies to show their support of local language clubs. Mushinin is the Coordinator of AusAID's LAPIS-ELTIS program in Lombok. Sultan, from the Sasak English Club, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Budi : Darwin, Northern Territory, bush walking, Kakadu National Park, Uluru, camping, tent. (you can add more!)

Fatimah : Melbourne, Victoria, shopping, drink hot chocolate (look at the picture for more clues).

Sinta : Hobart, Tasmania, trekking, trees, river, cold weather, etc.

The Joeys flew to Australia by Q_________ (a). Each of them spent 4 days in different states and they met again in _________ (b) before they flew back to Indonesia.

Ali went to Perth, it's the capital city of _______ _______(c). Ali went f______(d) in Fremantle. He saw many black _______s on the river (e). He went trekking in the _______ Sandy _______ (f). He also visited ______ ______ (g), it's an unusual rock, shaped like a giant wave.

Samuel went to Queensland (h). First his host family took him to C_______ (i)and he went sn______ (j) on the Great Barrier Reef. Samuel needed a mask, a snorkel and flippers to do this. Samuel was amazed to see thousands of different varieties of fish. His next trip was to the A_____Z_____ (k). This place belongs to the family of the famous Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. Samuel loved touching and feeding the k______s (l) and e____ s (m). He also visited the famous beach on the G_____ C_____(n). It's called S______ P______(o). He went swimming and s______g (p) just like Australians love to do. Samuel said that many people love going to p_____s (q). He saw people reading books, sleeping, relaxing, having a chat with friends or even studying there.

Natalia went to ______ _____ (r). The capital city is called Adelaide.
Her host family took her around in a c______ (s). It's like a house on wheels. They stopped on the way and spent a night at a c______ p_____ (t). There were so many other c_______s (u) there.They had dinner outside and her host family also had______ (v). They cooked steak and sausages for her. The next day they took her to the B_______ V_____(w). It's 1000 hectare farming area full of _______s (x). This is a place where they produce wine. They showed her the process of making wine. But of course she didn't try! It's only for adults!

Joyce and Subagia, instructors at IALF Bali, and Ayu from KGI have recently returned from extended teaching exchanges in Aus-tralia. One of the things they talk a lot about are school excursions in Aus-tralia. Students often leave the school to visit places of interest such as museums, zoos, parks and factories. Going to see museum exhibits is a very popular type of school excursion in Australia. These excursions are always educational activities where students have to work and often complete assignments. It is not a holiday or a day off! But these days are also a lot of fun.

Pak Rohman, an Endeavour Award Alumni 2008 (see page 8, March 2008 magazine) told KGI something very interesting about this excursion aspect of education Down Under.

One of the great discoveries he made to do with his work was how museum staff in Australia look after the children who visit museums. Australians generally like to visit museums and historic buildings. At Vaucluse House for example in Sydney, museum staff provide special learning activities for school-aged visitors at the end of each tour. Making models, drawing pictures and answering quiz questions are just three examples of what museum staff provide for their young visitors after they have seen the museum or exhibits. Rohman would like to see this introduced into Cipanas Palace so let’s hope it can be done for the Indonesian children who go not only to Cipanas in the future but the other presidential palaces too. Isn’t this a great way for Indonesian school children to learn more about the history of Indonesia?

The Singapore CLaSIC Conference

In December I traveled to Singapore to present a paper at the third CLS International Conference (CLaSIC 2008). It was held at the National University of Singapore. I was amazed at how organized every thing was. Registration was very efficient and took less than 5 minutes. Instead of a heavy conference book to bring home with us all the abstracts had been put onto a CD.

My presentation introduced the audience to the many types of media Kang Guru presents and how Indonesian teachers and learners of English have access to these. About 18 people attended. There was quite a lively discussion afterwards which continued on during break time.

Mr Shun Chone Liaw from Penang, Malaysia wished there was a project like Kang Guru to help students in rural Malaysia. There were several Australians in the audience too and they were very interested in how Australia is assisting Indonesian learners of English.

At the conference I listened to presentations on many different topics associated with using media (the theme of the conference), especially the new electronic media such as You Tube. Many of the presenters lived and taught in Asian countries such as Singapore, Korea, Japan, Malaysia and of course Indonesia. Others came from further a field including Australia and South Africa. Some presentations were more relevant to the Indonesian situation than others. The most interesting presentation I attended was about students who made digital diaries and presented their thoughts, fears and expectations in a short film. The whole conference was a very interesting experience.

Sue Rodger, ELT Material and Training Coordinator at KGI

Letter from Novi, a teacher ...

Hello, I'm Novi Haryati, an english teacher from Jember, Jawa Timur. I would like to say Happy New Year 2009 and wish u all the best. By the way I also would like to say big thanks to Kang Guru. I always use Kang Guru magazines in my classes. I motivate my students to follow all tasks in it. Actually I use the magazines for assignments. I love to see their enthusiasm in doing the tasks. They enjoy them very much. Through your website we know that some of them (6 students) won KGI competitions. I am glad to know that. As you know, they are very happy. It is not only because of the gift but also because it was their own success. Thanks for everything that you did for me and for me to see the happiness of my student is everything to me.

Novi Haryati
SMPN 10 Jember

KGI Champion Ririn and her three daughters helping out at the Australian
Film Festival in Jakarta. Thanks Ririn for your support and enthusiasm.

Famous Australians of Entertainment Actors: Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe Singers: Kylie Minogue, Peter Garrett, Keith Urban, Delta Goodrem People: Don Bradman, Cathy Freeman, Casey Stoner, Harry Kewel In the Past: Ned Kelly (bushranger), A J Patterson (Banjo Patterson) 1864-1941: Wrote the words to Waltzing Matilda, The Man From Snowy River and The Man From Iron bark, Steve Irwin, Heath Ledger

Antri Antri!

In Australia, there are so many ‘queue management systems’ that lead to more orderly and polite line behavior at stores, post offices, banks, etc. Queues in Australia are a social requirement in all public places.

Once I went to a bank in Adelaide but I didn’t realize that all visitors should take a queuing ticket before proceeding to their seats to wait for service. An old lady, who was also at the bank, suggested that I should take the queuing ticket.

“What number do you have,” the old lady suddenly asked. I replied, “159.” “Mine is 158,” she said. Then, surprisingly she continued,”You can use my ticket. Go first to the cashier”. “Why I should I?” I wondered. “Because I know you came first. You have a right to go first. No, thanks, Mom. Ladies first!.“

I was trying to convince her that it was okay for her to go first to the cashier, but failed. She would not take her own turn. Expressing many thanks to her, I took her turn, proceeding first to the cashier, who then resolved my problem in less than one minute. Fantastic!!

Sugiono, in Paiton, Probolinggo

Birds, birds, birds .........

When I was in Sydney I went to Manly on the ferry. Sydney Harbour is a wonderful place with beautiful water and lots of boats and lots and lots of birds. I couldn’t believe how many birds there were on Sydney Harbour. There were seagulls, pelicans and so many other types too. Some of the birds followed my ferry all the way from Circular Quay to Manly. They sat on the masts and on the ferry itself and some birds seemed to just fly along with us. I have never seen so many birds in one place. I wondered, ‘Where are all the birds in Indonesia’?

Rohman, a 2008 Endeavour Award alumnus

Pedestrians are respected

I enjoy using public transport in Adelaide city because it is on time and convenient. I love walking around the city too because the traffic is not really crowded and it is managed very well. I think it is amazing to see the city scenery which is very clean. If you walk through the city you would not find any rubbish on the street. Australian drivers respect people who walk on the street. They are pleased to wait allowing people cross the road. The most surprising thing I saw was when I woke up in the early morning at 5am. I saw a car stopped waiting for the green traffic light, even though it was the only one car on the road. I was so surprised because it never happens in Indonesia. Maybe in the future? This is my first experience going to Australia and also my first time abroad. I am almost three weeks in Kangaroo continent but until now I have not seen such creature yet.

Hasbullah, ADS in Adelaide

Is it camping or moving house?

When I was at school in Indonesia I used to go camping with the school scouts. Camping, as far as I remember, always full of inconvenience with very simple tents which took hours to erect, no sleeping bags, no nearby toilets/bathrooms and often no lights. For cooking we had to take our own kerosene stove. I never enjoyed it at all.

I remember when I first went to Oz, an Aussie friend took me camping. Oh no, I thought! When I heard the word camping I felt sick already because I remembered all the hassles of camping.

Twelve people (campers) went on this trip in three different cars. When we arrived at the camping ground everyone unloaded the cars and put up a tent. I was shocked first because they put up the tent next to the car. We could have just slept in the cars! It only took them a few minutes to erect the tent though. Then they pumped up something which turned out to be a very comfortable, huge air mattress. They also brought a grill with them to cook on, an electric esky to keep food and drinks (especially dairy products) cold, folding chairs, a table and a tent heater (to make it warm).

They brought everything that a whole house would have. Amazing! I was still in shock. Is this camping or moving house? Not only that, the camping ground had hot shower and good toilets. I love camping Down Under!

Ayu from KGI

Socceroos at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Nurul Huda

Connecting people with people through sport for example, is such an enjoyable way of helping people to learn more about each other. The Aussie Socceroos played against Indonesia on January 28th but guess what they did the NEXT day? The Socceroos took the time to conduct a football clinic with children from Madrasah Tsanawiyah Nurul Huda, West Java. Wasn't that fantastic thing for them to do!

"It was a marvellous opportunity for both the players and the students to learn more about each other’s culture through their shared passion for football. It gives me great joy to see our national team reaching out to connect with the children from Madrasah Tsanawiyah Nurul Huda - a school which was built with support from Australia.”

You can also be a winner with KGI

Five lucky winners of an SMS task in the September 2008 magazine recently received their brand new MP3 players from KGI. Artif Rivaan (Mataram), Retno Dewi Pamungkas (Ngawi), Ketut Siundana JP (Klungkung), Danni Hartadi (Magelang) and Yudhistira Ramadhan (Yogyakarta) are now connected up with music of their own. Congratulations to all of you AND readers, be sure to check THIS magazine for more great tasks and competitions from KGI. You can be a winner too but you have to enter, okay? Good Luck!

KGI radio programs now fully tracked

Here's something new for 2009. The technical team at KGI - Darmika, Mahendra and Gung De - have created a new-type of audio CD from KGI's weekly radio programs. With these new free CDs you can listen to any KGI radio segment you like because all the radio segments are now tracked. That's right, tracked! You can choose the segments and songs that you want to hear and hear them at the touch of a PLAY button.

Order a complete series of KGI radio programs (60, 61, 62 or 63) and KGI will also send you complete tapescripts and a KGI keyring. Send an email or letter to KGI. Tell us in 75 words why you want these tracked CDs.

KGI Champion Keyko and Yogyakarta's IVED

All seven of the KGI Champions work hard as volunteers for Kang Guru. They visit schools and students, and help to organize teacher workshops as they promote KGI all over their provinces. In January, for example, Keyko from Semarang joined with former KGI Connection Club members from Student English Activities — Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (SEA-UMY) — to run their 12th IVED from Jan. 19th – 24th. There were over 170 participants and 59 teams plus adjudicators and organizers involved in the series of language activities. Keyko interviewed several of the participants and guess what? The KGI magazine is very popular in Yogya and the parts they love the most are Idioms Inggris, Quick Fix and DPDF.

A Melting Pot - that Sums Up Life Down Under

Australia is a great example of multiculturalism. The population – penduduk - consists of lots of people with different origins. In fact almost a quarter of the population was born overseas. You can find people from Morocco, Greece, Italy, India, Nepal, Scotland, Norway, Russia, Japan, Indonesia - you name it, they all live Down Under!

In Australia not everyone speaks English at home. Italian is the most popular language other than English spoken in Australian homes followed by Greek, Cantonese, Arabic and Vietnamese.  Australia’s melting pot of cultures is reflected in the great variety of restaurants and cafes. You can find food from all countries including Indonesia.

I'm originally from Colombia. I moved to Australia because most of my relatives live here. My older brother asked me to help him run a small coffee shop in Sydney so I came and I love living in Australia. I miss home sometimes. Working in the coffee shop is always busy. People here adore drinking coffee and tea. They spend hours and hours in the coffee shop.

I'm Truls and I'm from Norway. When I came to Australia for the first time in 2000 to study, I fell in love with Australia straight away. Every single person here is a hard worker. They work, work and work — time is money. Usually people meet up for a drink after work and go out on the weekend.

I'm Hefni, I'm originally from Banyuwangi. My husband is Australian. I have been livin' in Oz for 12 years and I have one daughter. Being a mom in Australia is quite tough because you have to do everything by yourself. There are no pembantus here in Oz.

I have to do all the housework including taking my daughter to school. But what I like about Oz is the clean air and the parks. People here go to the park to read, have a picnic, meet people, play with their children or just to relax.

I'm Jaspreet, I'm an accountant and I'm from India. I moved to Australia 10 years ago with my family. We migrated and I have become an Australian citizen and I just love it. There's not so much pressure being an Australian. Most of my relatives have moved here and there are so many good Indian restaurants here. That's why I never miss home.

Phone me first!

In towns and cities across Indonesia the number of shops selling new and used hand phones, accessories and pulsa is phenomenal. At the weekends the mobile phone shops are packed out. It seems everyone wants to own a handphone.

In Australia plenty of people have mobile phones too, but the way they buy them is quite different to Indonesia. Many people have a prepaid or postpaid plan. The operators such as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone entice customers to buy their plans by offering a ‘free’ telephone in the package. The more expensive and up to date the model you choose the more expensive the plan.

• With a post paid plan the phone users pay a bill at the end of the month for the services they have used. The different networks offer different deals but the bill includes a charge for the phone.
• A prepaid plan is similar to buying pulsa or credit in Indonesia but included in the plan is a charge for the telephone. The plan and the phone are a packet.

You can get the most up to date phones with these plans. You can choose the plan which suits the way you use your phone. These plans can be for a month or up to two years. It can be very expensive to change a plan so people must think carefully before choosing the one they want.