In this edition we pay tribute to Pat Walsh, one of the co-founders of this magazine and for over four decades a mentor to countless writers and editors. From our very first edition in November 1983, to edition 162 (Oct-Dec 2025) published just before he passed away, Pat has been there.
Pat was a humanitarian first and foremost, an activist for human rights and justice, as well as a writer of beautiful fiction and poetry. The contributions to this edition attest to each of these traits.
Pat’s daughter Mayra shares with us a little of Pat’s life story. His journey from rural western Victoria to the priesthood and teaching, to discovering Indonesia, human rights activism, and the East Timorese struggle. But most of all, she describes his deep love of family, friends and his lifelong commitment to doing good and bringing about positive change in the world.
His old friend and fellow co-founder of Inside Indonesia, John Waddingham remembers the early days of Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor and Pat’s constant efforts to find ways of connection and engagement in Australia, Indonesia and beyond to bring the plight of the people of East Timor to the world’s attention. Although it might not sound like it, the conception of this magazine was part of this push.
His deep and enduring connection to Timor Leste is highlighted in the tributes delivered at Pat’s funeral and reproduced in this edition from both Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and President José Ramos-Horta, and the personal tribute from activist and actor, Jose da Costa.
As many of those remembering Pat here recount, he was a man of action. Galuh Wandita remembers Pat’s tireless commitment to the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor (CAVR: Comissão de Acolhimento, Verdade e Reconciliação de Timor Leste), and Inning Isaiyas documents his subsequent herculean task to produce multi-language versions of Chega! its 3,000 page report. Andreas Harsono situates Pat's work within the context of the broader struggle to bring to light the human rights abuses committed by the New Order regime.
Gerry van Klinken and Vannessa Hearman both reflect on the impact Pat’s example had on their journeys connected to activism, Indonesia and Timor Leste, in many ways mirroring the experiences of countless others who came within his orbit.
Like all the contributions here, Anton Alimin writes about Pat’s particular connection with Indonesia’s diaspora community in Melbourne through a shared love of prose. Anton shares his last conversations with Pat – over text message – which are dominated by words of and about poetry.
For Emma Baulch and Tito Ambyo, it was also Pat’s passion for language, small details and most of all, humanity that leaves a deep and ensuring impression. Emma’s poem is evocative of Pat’s essence as a contemplative and conscientious thinker and problem solver, whilst Tito offers a reflection on how Pat’s writing brings to the foreground those situated on the margins of society.
In this edition we also feature one of the last poems Pat wrote from his hospital bed, and a chapter from his wonderful book Stormy with a chance of fried rice.
At Inside Indonesia we will miss Pat’s constant support the past 42 years, but we will always be guided by his true moral compass and commitment to telling stories that reveal humanity and strive to uphold the dignity of all.
Vale Pat!
