History

The following is an outline of the history of the Indonesian Heritage Society drawn from archives, newsletters, minutes of meetings, annual reports and other sources.

28 February 1970
Our organisation was established initially as the Ganesha Volunteers under the patronage of the Ganesha Society. Mr and Mrs Zainal Abidin, Indonesian citizens with a strong interest in the preservation of Indonesian art and culture, and Mrs Reidun Loose, wife of the former Norwegian Consul General to Indonesia, founded the Ganesha Society. Its objectives were to support the Museum and to promote the preservation and appreciation of Indonesian art and culture.

Mr and Mrs Abidin had already been involved with the then Museum Pusat (which became the Museum Nasional in 1979) for several years, providing financial support for various maintenance requirements. It was there that they met Mrs Loose, who at that time was working with a small group translating the Guide to the Ceramics Collection. As all shared an interest in helping the Museum, an organisation was established with Mrs Loose serving as the first Chairman of the Ganesha Volunteers. This group functioned under the umbrella of the Ganesha Society. The name and emblem chosen for the organisation was Ganesha, a Hindu god representing the unquenchable thirst for knowledge. The organisation began with 17 volunteers and gradually expanded its membership and its range of activities.

1971-73

• Membership increased to 78.
• Volunteers undertook translations and inventory work in Ceramics, Stone and Bronze.
• Guided tours started and lectures began.

1973-78 Under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Mary Drost

• Individual sections defined.
• Newsletter produced.
• Annual subscription charged for membership.
• Volunteers worked first at Museum Pusat and later Museum Fatahillah under the supervision and direction of Museum staff.
• Study groups formed.
• Guided tours of Museum Nasional (already available in English) expanded to include French, German and Japanese.
• Programs in the international schools started.
• Language lessons for Museum staff began.
• Evening Lectures introduced, with proceeds used to buy books for a library, initially housed in members’ homes.

1978

Volunteers wrote Aspects of Indonesia, published by the Ganesha Society.

1983

• Guidebook to Sulawesi written by the volunteers and published in cooperation with the Museum Nasional.
• Aspects of Indonesia, 2nd Edition published.

1984

The organisation published its first calendar featuring photographs taken by members. (Since then - apart from 1998 - a calendar has been produced yearly)

1988

Explorers group established.

1991

The Jakarta Explorer published, developed from the walking tours in the city researched by the Explorers group.

March 1994

Mrs Rukmini Zainal Abidin, founder of the Ganesha Society and the Ganesha Volunteers, announced her intention to withdraw as patron of the organisation. The Ganesha Society would pursue activities other than those undertaken by the volunteers. She urged the volunteer organisation to continue with its activities but to select a new name, logo and new patrons for the organisation.

April-June 1994

• Transition Committee and Name Search Committee established.
• Suggestions for new name solicited from the members.
• Logo contest launched.
• The name Indonesian Heritage Society formally ratified in April.
• Work began on drafting a Deed of Establishment.
• Mrs Hilde Ardie became first member of the Board of Governors.

September 1994

Library relocated to rented accommodation at Jl. Bangka V, 21E, Kemang, after being housed for years in members’ homes or in shared rented quarters,

December 1994

The logo chosen for the Indonesian Heritage Society was the lotus, representing rebirth and regeneration believed to be appropriate for a time of transition.

21 August 1995

• Signing of the Deed of Establishment.
• The Indonesian Heritage Society became a non-profit organisation (yayasan) under Indonesian Law. The main objective of the Deed was to confirm the goals of the organisation:

  1. To support and assist the cultural institutions of Indonesia
  2. To promote knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Indonesia’s culture and heritage.

  The deed also states that the organisation will refrain from religious or political affiliations and activities. Members of the Board of Governors, all Indonesian citizens officially stated in the Deed of Establishment, are Mrs Hilde Ardie, Mr Anak Agung Gde Agung, Mrs Kartini Basuki, Mr Wiwoho Basuki and Dr Nafsiah Mboi.

30 August 1995

Signing of Transfer of Management and Sponsorship between the Ganesha Society and Indonesian Heritage Society, transferring assets including copyright to all publications created by the organisation.

24 April 1997

The Indonesian Heritage Society was awarded “Karya Pusaka Utama” by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wardiman Djojonegoro, Minister of Education & Culture of Republic of Indonesia, and was presented a plaque at the Anniversary of the Indonesian National Museum Jakarta. The awards were divided into three categories, “Karya Pusaka Utama”, “Karya Pusaka Madya” and “Karya Pusaka”. The Heritage Society was one of nine recipients of the “Best Award of Recognition”.

1998

Museum Nasional Guidebook published, as result of volunteers collaborating in the Museum under Museum staff guidance.

April 1999

The Jakarta Explorer - 2nd edition published.

September 1999

Indonesian Heritage Society library relocated to Sentral Senayan I from its Kemang site.

June 2003

French translation of Aspects of Indonesian Culture published.

October 2003

The Indonesian Heritage Society was presented with a special award of appreciation by the Jakarta History Museum for the support given them over the years.

May 2004

The Japanese translation of the Museum Nasional Guidebook was published.

The Organisation Now
The organisation has established a strong identity within the community. From an initial group of 17 volunteers, the organisation has grown to a membership, which has fluctuated during the last 5 years between 400-570 representing up to 35 different nationalities.

The Indonesian Heritage Society’s Council is represented by 17 separate sections, which operate under three broad categories - Museum, Community and Operations. These major groups are the responsibility of the three Vice-Chairs of the organisation who together with the Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman, make up the Executive Committee. To date there have been 21 different chairmen. The five members of the Board of Governors, prominent members of Indonesian society, act as advisers to the organisation.

The close relationship between the Indonesian Heritage Society and Museum staff is one which has always been highly valued by members of the organisation.

During its 34 years of operation, thousands of people have been members of the organisation while thousands of items of the Museum National’s collection have been catalogued by volunteers working under the direction of specialist curators.

Thousands of visitors to the Museum Nasional have benefited from the knowledge of trained Tour Guides, while yet thousands more have heard evening lectures on a diverse range of topics related to Indonesian culture. Many school children have learned about varied aspects of Indonesian culture in English, French and Japanese from our School Program volunteers. While making a contribution to the Indonesian community, volunteers are rewarded by an opportunity to study Indonesian history and culture. This is an organisation of which we all can feel very privileged to be members.

CHAIRMEN OF GANESHA VOLUNTEERS AND INDONESIAN HERITAGE SOCIETY

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