Top Timor-Leste honour for friendship committee

THE Bendigo-Maubisse Friendship Committee has been awarded the Order of Timor-Leste Medal – the nation’s highest honour.

This is in recognition of almost two decades of partnership with the people of Maubisse, a town of just over 6000 people located about 70 kilometres from Dili.

Since 2006, the committee has delivered grassroots, community-led projects across education, health and livelihoods to the area, at the initial suggestion of Kirsty Sword Gusmão, East Timor’s First Lady at the time.

Ms Sword Gusmão had kept close ties with Bendigo having grown up here and completing her schooling at Eaglehawk Primary School and Golden Square Secondary College.

Projects have included the delivery of high school and university scholarships, nurse training, reproductive health programs, medical and dental equipment, knitted goods, small business support and infrastructure upgrades – all focused on building skills, services and economic independence.

Committee president Rod Flavell and deputy chair Jen Alden accepted the award at a recent ceremony in Melbourne.

In a statement, East Timor President Ramos-Horta praised the enduring commitment of the wider Friendship Network.

“These awards symbolise our nation’s profound appreciation for those who have walked alongside Timor-Leste in times of struggle and progress,” he said.

“Their selflessness and commitment inspire us to continue building a future of unity and prosperity.”

Committee treasurer Deborah Blake said the group’s support for the town’s young people has been a highlight of the long association.

“In terms of things we’ve achieved, I’d say the biggest one would be the scholarships we’ve put through – it’s close to 1000 students,” she said.

“That’s significantly shifted the social makeup of the town – it now has students who started off with the program and graduated university who’ve come back as teachers and doctors.”

Notably, a High School Student Scholarship of $145 per year covers full annual education expenses incurred for fees, books and school uniforms, while a University Student Scholarship of $1200 per student covers accommodation, travel, books, fees and the provision of a laptop computer.

Ms Blake also cited the relationships forged between Bendigo and Maubisse.

“The reputation of Bendigo there is now without comparison,” she said.

“You can see that the medal is a beautiful thing, but the sentiment behind it has been wonderful to us and it’s a measure of the friendship side of things too.

“The people that we work with in Maubisse, it’s the same group and they put so much effort into it. They understand everything, they’re so organised, they’re really committed and they’ve learned a lot over the years as well.”

The xommittee was also recently named as a finalist in the Be.Bendigo Business Excellence Awards in the not-for-profit category.

And, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Ms Blake will lead a study tour to Timor-Leste next month, offering supporters the chance to meet local partners and see funded projects firsthand.

All profits from the tour will support the Nurse Educator Program at Maubisse Referral Hospital.

To make a donation, visit the Bendigo-Maubisse Friendship Committee website.