Since 1999, when the East Timorese people claimed independence from Indonesia, East Timor has suffered enormous development challenges.
Our newly independent neighbour is the poorest country in Asia.
The Geelong-East Timor Friendship Committee oversees the friendship relationship between Geelong and District of Viqueque in East Timor.
The idea began in 2000 when Geelong community representatives and the National Council of Timorese Resistance approached the City of Greater Geelong to consider developing a relationship with the Eat Timorese community through the Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA).
In April 2002 Cr Barbara Abley, Cr Linda Ristevski and Mr Dirk Stobbe (community representative/translator) visited East Timor to act as International Observers for the first ever Presidential Elections and to establish a community to community partnership with the District of Viqueque.
Viqueque is a District on the South-Eastern seaboard of East Timor (approximately 195 km from Dili) and includes the following towns and villages: Beacu, Viqueque, Lacluta, Ossu, Uatolari and Uato Carabau.
Council has acted as facilitator in establishing a Belun (friendship) Network to draw together interested community groups within the Geelong region. The working group is made up of two Councillors, representatives from nine community organisations and one community member.
In October 2002, Mr Dirk Stobbe visited Viqueque on behalf of the Working Group. The objective was to determine key priority areas of assistance to the Viqueque community. The most immediate needs identified were health and education.
Some of the activities of the Working Group to date have included:
- Purchase of a generator for the Viqueque Hospital
- Receiving donations from the community of more than $8,500 at Geelong Performing Arts Centre during performances of Mavis Goes to Timor at which the working group had an information display
- Gold Coin donation day through schools which raised approximately $550
- Collection of Various other donations of both money and material items following community awareness raising sessions held by working group members
- Organisation of a shipping container which is currently located at Osborne House and will be shipped to Viqueque once filled
- Hosting of a visit to Geelong by the East Timor Consul General Elect Abel Guterres in February to meet with the working group
- Presenting a display and attendance of five community working group members, 2 staff and Mayor Cr Barbara Abley at the Working Together for East Timor Conference held by the VLGA in April 2003
- Investigation and development of communication, decision making and financial protocols.
Further information can be obtained from Paul Jamieson - Community Development Department - City of Greater Geelong on (03) 5227 0867.
