The close-knit bond among Sulawesi people abroad is a core value of Kerukunan Keluarga Sulawesi (Sulawesi Family Association), reflected in the activities of KKSS Sydney, which represents Sulawesi families in New South Wales, Australia. This sense of togetherness was highlighted during a recent visit from UIN Alauddin Makassar’s delegation at the home of KKSS Sydney Chairman, H. Firdaus Muis, and his wife, Hj. Kustinah.
At their peaceful home in Wiley Park, Sydney, Bude Kus, as Mrs. Kustinah is affectionately known, welcomed guests from UIN Alauddin Makassar, including Dr. Dewi Setiawati, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Dr. Serliah Nur, Head of the International Office. The group also included lecturers pursuing PhD studies in Australia, such as Dr. Nurhira Abdul Kadir (University of New South Wales), Nurdiyanah S. (Griffith University), Ani Auli Ilmi (La Trobe University), and Restu Mufanti (University of Technology Sydney).
Having met the hosts during a community service event earlier, the gathering was friendly and relaxed. The UIN delegation, in Sydney since September 4, 2024, had been busy and hadn’t had time to visit Indonesian restaurants. Mrs. Kustinah’s homemade dishes, such as fried fish, shredded chicken with Balinese spices, dendeng cabe ijo, and cassava leaf curry, provided a comforting taste of home. Laughter filled the air as they enjoyed the meal, which ended with desserts, warm tea, and bakso (meatball soup), perfect for the cool 15°C evening.
H. Firdaus Muis shared stories of his career as a healthcare professional and the challenges of living abroad. His experiences offered valuable lessons for UIN Alauddin Makassar students preparing for international collaborations.
Dr. Serliah expressed gratitude for the warm welcome, noting that the visit strengthened UIN Alauddin Makassar’s ties with Australia. She saw the connections made during the evening as key to future collaborations. Her sentiment was echoed by the recognition of KKSS Sydney’s contributions to the Indonesian diaspora by the New South Wales government, further reinforcing the unity among Sulawesi families abroad.
