Perwira was established on the 1st of October 1981 in Melbourne. The original members who started the organisation were John Pello, Tata Kristanta, Ebet Kadarusman, Tony Watupongoh and Winoto Suatmadji.
Today the organisation is led by Achmad Subarja as the President and his talented committee members who have upheld the organisations objectives so successfully making them a very important part of Indonesian culture in Melbourne

The name PERWIRA actually means "hero" in Bahasa Indonesia and is the acronym to "Perhimpunan Warga Indonesia di Victoria" which literally means The Indonesian Society of Australia.

As a Not-for-Profit organisation, Perwira has been a important part of the Indonesian community and plays an intergral part of promoting the Indonesian culture within Victoria.

True to its Memorandum of Understanding, the organisation was established with the following objectives:

• Promoting unity and harmonious relations within the Indonesian community in Victoria especially, and Australia in general.
• Fostering the physical and spiritual welfare of members of the Indonesian community in Victoria.
• Providing liaison between the Indonesian Community in Victoria and the Indonesian diplomatic representatives in Australia.
• Fostering and promoting the Indonesian heritage within the Indonesian community in Victoria.
•  Promoting knowledge and understanding of The Indonesia culture within the society in Victoria especially and in Australia in General