Alfons Sroyer, West Papua Youth in Kangaroo Island

Alfons Sroyer, West Papua Youth in Kangaroo Island

KI Natural Resources  Meeting

Good day Kangaroo Island, my name is Alfons Manbebyar Sroyer, usually my friends call me Alfons. I am one of the AIYEP (Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program) participants who came from  West Papua. I am 23 years old and I am a student of The State University of Papua (UNIPA) majoring in English Literature and I live in Manokwari. Actually I was born in Biak Island, it is a beautiful small island in Cendrawasih Bay. I grew up there and after I  graduated from senior high school I continued my study in Manokwari  living in Metrox dormitory with my friends while studying at UNIPA.

Indonesia is an unique country because there are many islands, many cultures, many traditional languages, and so much more that I can not mention them one by one. It makes Indonesia full of colours. West Papua itself geographically includes what is called the bird’s head area and several surrounding islands. The populations in West Papua are heterogeneous. Tribe diversity, culture and religion is bound together in the spirit of Bhineka Tunggal Ika (even though we are different, we are united as one). West Papua has many tourism destinations including an amazing natural capital, warm tropical seasons, heterogeneous regional cultures, hundreds of species and a thousand kinds of endemic plants you can not find in other places. That is all little bit about my country.

On 19 November 2011, I  arrived in Kangaroo Island. It is a very beautiful place with a natural, clean environment, pure air, and many different species. It is wonderful.

On 28 November I have undertaken a work placement with the Community Engagement Unit of the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board. I have come at a time of great change within the organization as the Board. My supervisor was Beverley Maxwell. She is a smart, lovely, friendly, kind and hospitable lady. On the first day she introduced me to all the officers in the worksite and next door, they were all friendly and kind. One of them was my host father who I lived with on Kangaroo Island, David Taylor. I wanted to find out more about the organization’s structure, how the Government is prospering people, how they select new officers, how to make work plans, about the policies and what the main yield of KI is. Bev was great, she helped me and taught me so much. She understood I want to be a leader someday, therefore she took me seriously. I was able to gain first-hand experience of change management within Government Organization.  I attended the first integrated staff meeting of the occupants of the building discussing issues related to the shared workspace.

I have participated in three main activities while on placement with the Board. The first was a briefing meeting about the Annual Review and I assisted with its promotion by delivering promotional posters to businesses and notice boards around the town. I learnt the different methods the Board uses to promote its activities including paid newspaper advertising and its website. The second was Participation in a Key Community Event- The Christmas Tree Festival. This encourages business and organizations to participate, with funds raised going towards a local charity or not-for-profit organization. That was fun, because I was actively involved in constructing the Christmas tree on the theme ‘Feral Management’ and was creative in my ideas of displaying the theme. The third was Review of promotional material. I assisted in the review of Board promotional material that was undertaken as part of the premises move.

I have learn more about volunteer activities in Kangaroo Island and its Coastal habitat by attending a seminar run by Conservation Volunteers Australia and I has also extended my understanding of local government in Kangaroo Island and environmental and governance issues through discussion with staff, viewing websites and reading reports.  

At KI Natural Resources Management Board

‘Experience is the best teacher; Kangaroo Island is the best place’ I would like to say thank you very much to God for His blessing, to Indonesian and Australian Government for this program, Ibu Kris and Ibu Cathy as local coordinators, my host family David and Fiona Taylor for their hospitality, love, kindness, friendliness, and much more that I can not mention one by one, and also to my little host brothers Flynn and Hugh, I believe both of you will be smart boys. Thanks to Beverly Maxwell for everything that you gave to me, I can not forget about experiences that I got with you, it was very important for my future and career, warm regard also to all officers in Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board, and for the bus school driver and also the best video editing (Garry). I like KI very much.

 

Alfons M. Sroyer

Youth Ambassador Australia- Indonesia (West Papua)