East Timor
Fundraising event for East Timor
After a quarter of a century of strife, East Timor, with the help of friends, is slowly building itself a better future. Byron Shire is playing a part in this challenge.
On Saturday 3 December, two projects which involve key local input will be showcased at Bangalow A&I Hall from 5.30pm-7.30pm. Friends of Laclubar (FoL) are an Australian NGO helping Laclubar sub-district in the Central Highlands. Over the last 2 years some 17,000 trees have been raised and planted by local people with assistance from FoL. Padre Domingos Gusmao (pictured) is Laclubar school principal and English teacher of 400 students and is a strong supporter of the reafforestation project.
Access to safe drinking water is an ongoing issue in many parts of the nation and Laclubar is no exception. In addition to reafforestation FoL is providing rainwater collection systems and aims at initiating improved waste water systems including compost toilets at the school and elsewhere.
Padre Domingos will be visiting the Shire and is special guest speaker at the fundraiser. Padre Domingos is fluent in 6 languages and is passionate about social and economic development within his country. With his vivacious personality he is a joy and inspiration to hear.
Shire resident and councillor Richard Staples has visited Laclubar as an adviser four times over the last few years and will introduce FoL and Padre Domingos at the event.
Academy of Swimming Education East Timor Inc (ASEET Inc), also an Australian NGO, was conceived in Byron Bay by professional swimming teacher, Meg Fisk (pictured) in 2009. The first learn to swim classes for orphanage children in Dili - the capital - were facilitated in 2010 at the Prime Ministers’ residential pool. To date, 5 programs have been run using resort pools and the local beach to teach water safety skills, swimming intensives and CPR. ASEET Inc aims at reducing the high level of drowning related accidents in East Timor and capacity building by training youth in the vocation of swimming instructors. Meg will present her project at the event. A second second overiview of the work in Timor can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RO4KfCKMSg.
If you are curious about this new country at our northern doorstep, this is an opportunity to learn more and find out how to be involved. This will be a fundraising event with all proceeds going to FoL and ASEET Inc. It will be a chance to meet like minded people in a social setting. An auction of Timorese fabrics and hand-made dolls will also be held.
Adults: $25 Kids: Free Tapas & Drinks provided.
To book phone: Richard 0408-689-012 or Meg 0408-833-988 or email mfisk101@live.com.
At the Byron Shire Council Ordinary Meeting held 14 April 2011, the following was resolved:
11-260 Resolved:
1. That Council investigate establishing a formal friendship relationship with a sub-district in Timor-Leste.
2. That a councillor be nominated to liaise with the Consul General for Timor-Leste in Australia to identify a suitable sub-district in Timor-Leste, and to report back to Council.
11-261 Resolved that Cr Staples be nominated to conduct the liaison stemming from Resolution 11-260.
Please note: The establishment of a formal friendship is currently under investigation.