Jakarta (Indonesia Window) - The Indonesian Australian Community (IAC) in Newcastle, Australia, has recently held an Indonesian Independence Day Dinner at Tiger Cardiff RSL Restaurant in Newcastle.

At least 100 IAC members in Newcastle and Hunter in New South Wales participated in the event which was attended by Indonesian Consul General in Sydney Heru Hartanto Subolo and wife as the guests of honor.

"I am pleased to see the number of Indonesians and Australians participating in this evening's event," Consul General Subolo said in his written statement received by Indonesia Window here on Sunday.

IAC is a non-profit organization whose members are Indonesian and Australian people in Newcastle and Hunter.

The members concern about Indonesia and pay special attention to the progress of bilateral relations between the two countries.

"This event is a reflection of the close relations between Indonesia and Australia, which have been existing since long before Indonesia achieved its independence,"  Subolo said.

Every year IAC commemorates the Indonesian Independence Day by organizing an Indonesian Independence Day Dinner (IIDD) which is always participated in by hundreds of Indonesians and Australians.

Of the total 322,000 people in Newcastle (data 2016), 200 of them are Indonesians or have an Indonesian background.

"The relations between Indonesia and Australia are currently at a very good level, and have even increased to be a Strategic Comprehensive partnership. I invite all Indonesians and Australians in Newcastle and Hunter to contribute to this strategic comprehensive partnership," the consul general said.

Every year the Indonesian people in the working area of ​​the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, covering the states of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, hold a number of activities in commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day.

The events includ a flag ceremony, celebrations, a bazaar, and banquets that are always cheered by Indonesian and Australian people.

Reporting by Indonesia Window