East Timor is one of the worlds newest nations gaining independance
on May 20th 2002. The population numbers almost 1 million. The Timorese
people are varied with Portugese in amongst Malay, Papuan, Tetum,
Mambaj, Kemak, Makasai, Galoli and Tokodede. The main languages
are Portugese, Tetum, Indonesian and English. More than 90% of the
population are Roman Catholics with some Muslims, Hindus, Protestants
& Buddhists.
COLONISED BY THE PORTUGESE IN 1509
East Timor is only 600 kilometres north west of Darwin and was first
‘discovered’ by the Portugese in 1509. By 1556 Dominican
Friars had established a settlement at Lifau, in the present day
Oecussi enclave. Dutch-Portugese rivalry resulted in the 1859 ‘Treaty
of Lisbon’ that divided Timor, giving Portugal ownership of
the eastern half of the island together with the north coast pocket
of Oecussi in the west. Up until the 1920s Portugese Timor was ruled
by a traditional system of local chiefs who acted as agents for
the colonisers.
DURING WORLD WAR 2 - TIMORESE HELP AUSTRALIANS IN BATTLE
Timor was strategically significant during World War 2, being a
potential launching pad for a Japanese invasion of Australia. Timorese
joined with Australian troops mounting a guerilla campaign against
Japanese soldiers. Massive sacrifices were made by the locals: by
the end of the war about 60,000 East Timorese had lost their lives
helping Australians fight the Japanese.
INDONESIAN INVASION
Following a military coup in Portugal in 1974, East Timor moved
towards independance until the December 5th 1975 Indonesian invasion.
In the early days of the occupation the cost to the Timorese people
was horrific, with estimates of 100,000 or more dead, many through
starvation or disease.
SANTA CRUZ MASSACRE
The November 12, 1991 Santa Cruz massacre, filmed & witnessed
by foreign journalists sparked a global outcry and a flurry of diplomatic
and grassroots activism in support of East Timor. In 1996 Catholic
Bishop Carlos Belo and Independance diplomat in exile Hose Ramos
Horta won the Nobel Peace prize.
UNITED NATIONS REFERENDUM FOR INDEPENDANCE
On August the 30th 1999, The United Nations sponsored a referendum
on independance with the East Timorese voting overwhelmingly to
become a republic despite months of systematic terror and intimidation
by the Indonesian military and its militia. After the result was
announced, the Indonesian military and militia retaliated by destroying
over 70% of the countries infrastructure & murdering many. From
October 1999 the United Nations administered East Timor with much
Australian military involvement. On May the 20th 2002 East Timorese
voted in their first elections in multiparty democratic elections.
The independant Republic of East Timor was formed.
‘DAREBINS HAND OF FRIENDSHIP’
Since 1975 displaced East Timorese have been settling in Melbournes
northern suburbs with the earliest refugees moving into the North
Richmond housing estate. In 1999 Darebin Council supported the referendum
with Councillor Rae Perry visiting in August 1999.
By December 1999 North Fitzroy Depot bus driver Abel Gulteras -
later Consul General for East Timor - came to council and requested
continued Darebin friendship and help in rebuilding the struggling
new nation. Its from here that the Cities of Darebin and Yarra have
joined with the people of Baucau forming “The Friends of Baucau”
BAUCAU CITY AND DISTRICT
Baucau district is the 2nd largest in East Timor with Baucau town,
and its growing 16,000 population the 2nd largest city in size after
the capital Dili. In the town and surrounding villages much of the
infrastructure and equipment was damaged, destroyed or looted after
the referendum vote in 1999. Todays main economic activity in the
Baucau district is agriculture with corn, maize, rice, peanuts,
coconuts and vegetables. Small buisinesses continue to re-emerge.
Shops, restaurants and a main produce market are operating. Unemployment
is especially high amongst young people.
‘FRIENDS OF BAUCAU’
On the 30th of March 2001, the district administrator of Baucau,
Snr Marito Reis together with the Mayor of Darebin Cr Marlene Khairouz
and the Mayor of Yarra Cr Sue Corby signed a ‘Friendship Agreement’
on behalf of the citizens from both our communities.
FRIENDSHIP AGREEMENT
“In the spirit of mutual respect & co-operation between
the peoples of Australia & East Timor, and in accordance with
the
‘Statement of Principals for Local Governments Working in
East Timor’, of 4th of May 2000, we affirm our intention to
develop a friendship relationship between the District of Baucau
in East Timor & the City of Darebin & the City of Yarra
in Victoria, Australia.
The communities of Darebin & Yarra seek to develop the friendship
relationship to assist in the reconstruction of Baucau. Darebin
& Yarra both recognise the strong desire of individuals &
organisations in their communities to contribute to the rebuilding
of East Timor and are committed to facilitating community to community
links with Baucau. It is envisaged that this partnership, at both
the local government & community level, will involve the transfer
of knowledge, skills & resources as appropriate and will result
in improved understanding & the establishment of long-term relationships
between our two communities.”
SELLING COFFEE, CHRISTMAS TREES AND CHOCOLATES TO RAISE
MONEY
The Friends of Baucau raise money for projects to benefit the Baucau
community. Fundraising activities include selling East Timorese
Coffeewhich supports the Timorese coffee industry. Christmas trees,
Mayor’s Benefit, chocolates, dinner dances, trivia nights,
donations & bricks have been sold.
‘NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE’ - ‘BAUCUA BUKA
HATENE’
One major project is the construction of the Friendship & Learning
Centre - ‘Baucau Buka Hatene’ - Hatene means a desire
to learn in Timorese. With money raised by the people of Darebin
& Yarra the centre opened in Baucau on June 30th 2004 with much
celebration. It is based on the ‘Neighbourhood House’
concept that is so successful in Darebin, Yarra, and in many parts
of Australia. The centre’s activities concentrate specifically
on youth, women & people from remote communities.
OTHER PROJECTS
Other projects supported & funded by the ‘Friends of Baucau’
include: Working with the Baucau district administration to strengthen
& enhance their local government role. Promote visits to Australia
for East Timorese wanting to access training and a friendships school
project partnering schools in Baucau with schools in the City of
Darebin & Yarra.
NORTHCOTE LEADER - JULY 19th, 2004
English classes will begin immediately at the newly opened friendship
and learning centre in Baucau, East Timor. Darebin stradegy and
governance general manager Kevin Breen and Friends of Baucau project
officer Natalie Moxham returned from East Timor last week after
attending the centre’s opening. Mr Breen said the local community
had identified learning English as a high priority. A womens literacy
program would also begin within weeks and computer classes within
the next 3 months. He and East Timorese Government representative
Lino Torezino jointly opened the centre in front of more than 100
people, mostly from Baucau and East Timors Capital Dili.
The friendship and learning centre, modelled on Australia’s
neighbourhood houses, was established with the help of Darebin and
Yarra residents who supported council-backed Friends of Baucau fundraising.
It took local workers three months to transform the derelict, burnt-out
building - (it was torched by militia when Indonesia’s occupation
ended in 1999), into a functional premises with a large program
area and 2 offices.
