[1] Joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1962, his career saw him in diplomatic roles in Argentina, the United States, Austria, France and Australia.
[2] Appointed ambassador to Australia in December 1995, Wiryono was tasked with the job of rebuilding the bilateral relationship.
Indonesia had withdrawn the appointment of its previous ambassador in July 1995 after pressure from the Australian Government.
[3][4] Relations between the two countries were somewhat strained, recent protests in Australia had involved burning the flag of Indonesia.
The Australian Government was also conducting an inquiry into the 1975 death of six journalists during the Indonesian invasion of East Timor—20 years after the fact.