SPEECH BY ACTING CONSUL GENERAL, MR SUNARMIN SUNGGONO

THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
AT THE OCCASION OF THE BLACK SATURDAY BUSHFIRE MATCH

BETWEEN THE VIETNAM SWANS AND BALI GECKOS

28 March 2009, Saigon

The Indonesian acting Consul General delivers a moving speech

Ladies and gentlemen,

Actually I feel honoured to be invited here to see the Aussie Footy and to present the trophy to the Bali Geckos, the winners of the Black Saturday Bushfire Match today.

On this opportunity, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy for the  victims’ families as well as the people of Australia for the wild bushfires that happened last month in Victoria and I hope this tragedy will not happen again.

As was informed before the match when we observed the minute’s silence, there was a dam that burst in the outskirts of Jakarta yesterday morning which caused physical devastation and suffering to the people in the area of the dam (see the Jakarta Post, Scores missing after Indonesia dam bursts, 77 dead). It was with profound grief that I learned of that devastation. We do hope that the families who lost their near and dear ones would be given the strength to withstand this difficult period with courage.

Mr Sunggono presents the trophy to the victorious Bali Geckos

I would also like to thank the Organizing Committee of today’s match for the idea of conducting this event. Such an event gives us the chance to raise our empathy to some tragedies or other important events that occur around us.

I would say that this match has given room for Indonesian and Australian people to get closer in their relationship as neighbors.

For the players, thanks for showing the best and friendly game.

For the Bali Geckos, the winners of the game, congratulations!

Thank you.

For photos of the match, please visit the Vietnam Swans Web Album.