IN PHOTOS: How Australia Day was celebrated in Indonesia

MAKASSAR, Indonesia – The Australian Embassy marked Australia Day in Makassar on Tuesday, January 26 to help strengthen the new Australian mission to Makassar due to open later this year. Australia Day is Australia’s national day, and marks the landing of the first European colonists under Captain Cook. (READ: IN PHOTOS: A look inside an Australian Navy ship)

Here are photos of the celebration, all courtesy of the Australian embassy.

Australia and Makassar have a long history, with sailors from Sulawesi travelling to Australia for over 400 years to trade. Indigenous Australian languages from the North of Australia share common ties with those languages native to Sulawesi.

In more recent times, Australia has committed $AUD 40 million to help improve water sanitation and catchment in Makassar, as well as setting up business ties in the area, which include mining developments and a flour mill and have helped contribute to the region’s booming economy. Greater business ties are prompting the opening of the new Mission.

Makassar is known for its laneways like this one, which have recently fallen into disrepair. This laneway is Lorong Langgau alleyway, and is where the Australian embassy staff had a barbeque and a pot‐painting session.

Dr Bradley Armstrong, the Minister Councilor at the Embassy, joined Makassar mayor Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto to paint pots to mark the revitalization of the cities laneways thanks to Australian funds.

Dr Armstrong said he was keen for Australia to open a cultural exchange with Makassar as well as business and development. “We know that the city administration is heavily revitalizing the town alleyways. We want to participate and contribute in this program.” Mayor Pomanto said he was excited by the Australian presence in Makassar. “Many plans have been discussed, such as film exchanges, sister city arrangement, cultural exchange and education,” he said. – Rappler.com