Author shares stories of Timor Leste

AUTHOR Gabrielle Samson will discuss her memoir Dancers On The Sea – Stories from Atauro Island Timor Leste in a BMI Twilight Talks special event next week.

The book centres on Samson’s experiences on Atauro Island, learning about its history and culture while she worked with the community to improve living conditions.

A friend of Samson’s, Christine Perkins, suggested she bring her story to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.

“I know there are many people in Ballarat who have supported Timor Leste over the years,” Ms Perkins said.

“I’ve known [Samson] for a long time and when she wrote the book, I thought it would be great if she could talk here.”

Samson was working at an Indonesian university and was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for the community.

She agreed to spend six months on the island of Atauro but ended up staying for 12 years.

The book includes stories of the people Samson lived with during times of change, including during East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime and when Timor Leste became independent.

“It’s a beautiful story and Gabrielle has a really good way of listening and hearing and being able to describe the lives of the people of this very remote island during a period of their lives when enormous change was taking place,” Ms Perkins said.

“You get a really strong idea of what life was like there, but it was reflective as well.”

Ms Perkins encouraged people to go along and deepen their understanding of diverse cultures.

“I think it’s really continuing their understanding of what life is like for people in other places,” she said.

“It helps your own personal growth to have a perspective beyond your own.”

The talk will be on Wednesday 26 February from 5.30pm.

To purchase a ticket, visit the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute website.