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Grand Opening of IALF Bali
After more than one year of planning and renovating, the new premises
of IALF Bali were officially opened on Friday 8 July 2005. The program
began with a Balinese welcome dance – Panyembrama. This was followed
by speeches from the Deputy Ambassador from the Australian Embassy, Jakarta,
Peter Rowe, a representative from the office of the Governor of Bali,
Drs. Anak Agung Sujaya and Denise Finney, Manager of IALF Bali. After
the speeches, a garland of flowers was cut and a gong was struck to open
the new premises.
Over 300 guests, including Made Westra S.H., Acting Mayor of Denpasar,
and Elizabeth O’Neill, Public Affairs Counsellor from the Australian
Embassy, then enjoyed a buffet dinner while watching a video presentation
about the IALF, prepared by Pak Bundhowi and projected on to the wall
of the new building. It was a magnificent show, which captivated the attention
of the guests. ‘Tropical Transit Band’ then took over as guests
enjoyed the cool air, with some taking to the dance floor to celebrate
the beginning of a new era in the life of IALF Bali.
The following day was an Open Day for the public. IALF facilities –
computer labs, language labs, resource center and classrooms – were
set up with teachers available to demonstrate to visitors the methods
and materials the IALF uses to teach language. Visitors were encouraged
to participate in activities, which included games, songs, videos, computers
and Balinese cultural activities. There were also presentations on the
AusAID-funded Australian Partnership Scholarships (APS) program, IELTS
and TOEIC tests and on the services of IDP Bali.
Outside was a range of stalls selling food and refreshments – including
a sausage sizzle - as well as local handicrafts. A clown and a fortune
teller were available for children and adults, and all visitors were encouraged
to collect a full set of IALF badges that had been made especially for
the occasion. The Open Day ended with four Indonesian didgeridoo players
entertaining the crowd – some of whom still had the energy for a
final dance! All IALF staff worked hard to make the day a big success
– wearing red and white IALF ‘English Rocks’ and ‘Nothing
but English’ T-shirts.
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