ANNUAL REPORT

2014-15
Bendigo Maubisse Friendship
Committee

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Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee Annual Report 2014-15

SUMMARY - PURPOSE
This is the Annual Report for the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee (BMFC)
for the period 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015. This report provides Council and the
community with an overview of the work of this committee to support the Maubisse
Community in Timor Leste. The report demonstrates many achievements along with
a strong commitment, passion and capacity to develop strong partnerships, locally
and with a community abroad.
In presenting the Annual Report the BMFC acknowledges with appreciation many
community volunteers who worked with the committee during the year, to strengthen
the relationship and to achieve commendable and significant outcomes. In particular,
appreciation is extended to the Rotary Clubs of Eaglehawk, Bendigo Sandhurst,
Bendigo Strathdale and Bendigo South for their continuing hard work and support.
Appreciation is also extended to the Rotary Club of Chadstone East Malvern for their
continuing work on one of our school projects.
The BMFC is an appointed Section 86 Committee by the City of Greater Bendigo
and operates in accordance with delegated authority. The Committee understands
the responsibilities associated with their status and carries out its duties with the
knowledge that it is representing the City of Greater Bendigo. Until the 30th June this
year the City has provided an annual contribution of $50,000. Without these funds
the Committee would be unable to deliver the full extent of projects that make a
difference to the people of Maubisse.
The BMFC and the many community volunteers express sincere appreciation to the
Council and its Administration for their valued support.
P OLICY CONTEXT

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The Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee is committed to developing a strong

ongoing friendship with the community of Maubisse, built on mutual respect,
empowerment and collaboration. Programs are delivered to build relationships and
promote understanding. The BMFC is committed to contributing to improved
standards of living, access to basic and necessary services, training, capacity
building and social programs. The Committee respects local systems, cultures and
laws and will provide assistance to the community of Maubisse in accordance with
their stated needs and priorities.

2014-15 Committee Members

Cr. Peter Cox (Chair) City of Greater Bendigo.
Naidene Parry [Secretary]
Mark Feiss [Treasurer]
Barry Secombe
Heather Ridge
Jenny Feiss
Deborah Blake
Ian Blake
Rod Flavell
Ken Hubbard
John Jones
Elizabeth Durr
Heather McNeill
Matt Dorfstatter
Mark McLoughlin
Angela Molloy
Strategic Direction
The BMFC has worked alongside the Maubisse community since 2007. The BMFC
is committed to ensuring projects continue to be guided by Maubisse community
needs and aspirations, with future directions mutually agreed. Strategic directions of
the BMFC have been guided by a number of community consultations and
workshops held in Maubisse. These processes reinforced the contents of the BMFC
Strategic Plan [last updated in 2012 and will be reviewed in 2015].

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In February 2015 the Chair of the Committee and Mayor of the City of Greater
Bendigo, Cr. Peter Cox, led a delegation to Maubisse. This resulted in an important
gathering of community members together with Government and Local
Administration officials. The timing and relevance of this delegation was mindful of
the recently signed Protocol of Cooperation signed by the Victorian State
Government and the Government of Timor Leste. This Protocol aligns various
districts in Timor Leste with many Local Governments in Victoria. However, it is
contended that the most important aspect of this agreement is the focus on agreed
priorities for programs and projects and the need to build local skills and capacities.

.
District of Ainaro Officials, BMFC and local Community members at the community workshop in Maubisse in February 2015.

The Delegation met with 33 local participants including the District Administrator of the
Ainaro District [Sr. Manuel Ramos-Pinto] who emphasized priorities would be set by his
Administration in consultation with the Maubisse Community and BMFC. All parties
signed off on a list of projects, putting in place a 3year program, which will rely on
volunteer effort and a cash outlay in excess of $210K. The list of projects is included in
Appendix A and can be categorized into five main areas:

EDUCATION:
School furniture, and strategic programs such as the scholarship initiative,
has been provided along with training and support for Fundasaun Alola
Education Consultancy team, and English speaking programs.

HEALTH:
Support Maubisse Hospital with Medical and Dentistry training and
Equipment.

EXISTING AND PROPOSED SERVICES:

Assist Maubisse Radio Station with equipment, marketing strategies,
tourism initiatives, provision of sports equipment and items of clothing.

ARTS AND CULTURE:

Developing and nurturing local skills and talent.

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PUBLIC INFRASTUCTURE
Projects involving water storage, reticulation, trade training, upgrading of
schools and provision of out-door eating facilities at public schools.

Key achievements and activities 2014-15

Teams 37-42 visited Timor Leste in 2014-15 to support BMFC projects and
directions. Two Containers were sent, providing building materials, essential items of
equipment, clothing and furniture for schools for the Maubisse community. A
Maubisse distribution committee oversees unpacking and equitable distribution of
goods. Since 2007, 38 containers have been dispatched.

Local volunteers unpacking a container in Maubisse.

English Teaching & Future Capacity Training

The BMFC continues to support English teaching programs in Maubisse. A longstanding aim of the BMFC is to engage in capacity building programs and the
teaching of English is seen as an essential step. In March 2013 a BMFC delegation
met Minister Jorge Teme of the Ministry for State Administration. Minister Teme
strongly encouraged BMFC to engage in capacity building programs to develop the
skills of the Maubisse community and English teaching was specifically supported by
the Minister given Maubisse is a designated centre for tourism.
It is pleasing to report that in partnership with local providers (SOLS and MASEU)
English programs commenced late in 2014. BMFC has provided optional course
resources and plans to provide consultancy support for teachers of English in
2016.14 local students have been received scholarships in 2015 to enable
participation in local English classes at a cost of $20.00 per student.
Scholarship Program
The Maubisse community has identified the importance of establishing a scholarship
program to enable selected students to complete secondary education in Maubisse,
followed by a University education in Dili. The Alola Foundation is a partner in this
project, facilitating the management of BMFC funding in country and monitoring the
progress of recipients.

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In 2015 following a local selection process, six High School students commenced
their first scholarship year. Two students each from years 10, 11 and 12 received
$120 to cover full annual educational expenses, including uniforms. Commitment has
been made to ensure scholarships continue as each student progresses through
secondary education followed by university education. The cost of university
education is $1200 per student, which includes accommodation, fees and books.
The Education Committee in Maubisse, in partnership with the Alola Foundation
Scholarship fund, will closely monitor each students academic progress. Interviews
and progress reports on academic development will be reviewed twice per year by
the Education team from the Alola Foundation in Dili. Reports are to be provided
twice a year to the BMFC.

2015 Maubisse High School Scholarship receipients

This project requires $50,000 over a 7year period. It is a priority project and it is
anticipated that the majority of funds will be raised through local fundraising.
Community Kitchen Project
The Carmelite Sisters in Maubisse have developed a project to construct a large
kitchen in Maubisse to enable food to be prepared and distributed to the elderly and
infirm. Rotary members in Bendigo have been working closely with the Carmelites.
The Sub-District administration and community leaders strongly support this project.

Team 38 with the Carmelites in front of the operational kitchen

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The kitchen has been constructed by visiting Rotary teams, working under
established BMFC protocols. BMFC provided funds for in country expenses and
contributed to materials and freight. The Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst and the
wider Rotary movement in Bendigo made significant financial and volunteer
contributions towards this project. Team 38 finalized the project in August 2014 to a
point where it has become fully operational. This partnership project with the Rotary
Club of Bendigo Sandhurst has provided a facility to cook and distribute meals to the
frail and elderly in remote villages in the Maubisse District. Local Carmelite nuns and
volunteers deliver 60 meals a day on foot, undertaking a five hour round trip to
outlying villages, carrying meals in portable containers.

Preparing meals

Elderly Meals on legs recipient

Maulau School Refurbishment

The Catholic school at Maulau required extensive refurbishment to provide a
weatherproof teaching environment. The project was developed in consultation with
the Sub-District Administration, Community Leaders and the Mau-lau school
community. In September 2014 the Rotary Club of Chadstone East Malvern worked
on this project to weatherproof buildings, installing doors, windows and a ceiling.
This work was done in partnership with members of the Maulau community. Further
roofing work at Maulau school is required, and will be undertaken in 2015-16.

Mau-lau School..note the local scaffolding!

Support for Fundasaun Alola Education Team

The Alola Foundation is an invaluable partner for the work of BMFC in Maubisse,
and has assisted to develop a range of community capacity building programs. An

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ongoing partnership between the Victorian Department of Education and Training,

Fundasaun Alola in Timor Leste and BMFC has developed strongly since 2008. The
Alola Foundation Education team in Timor Leste has been strongly supported by
North West Victoria Region [NWVR] undertaking several professional learning
exchanges. A valuable partnership has developed, endorsed by the Director General
of Education in Timor Leste and supported by the Department of Education and
Training in Victoria. The Alola Foundation Education Consultancy team works in
conjunction with the Timor Leste Ministry of Education, and currently delivers basic
teacher training for pre-primary and primary school teachers, and is responsible for
providing professional learning for teachers throughout Timor Leste.
This team has previously benefited from shadowing and working in partnership with
NWVR staff in a range of settings, including well being officers, school nurses, EAL
consultants, MARC Van, administrators, literacy teachers and staff in early childhood
settings. New understandings from these exchanges have enabled establishment of
3 mobile libraries in Timor Leste, new approaches in early literacy, acquisition of
language and subsequent languages, development of learning resources, and
opportunity to further develop and professionalize existing teacher training with
greater depth and effectiveness.
The Fundasaun Alola Education team visit to Bendigo in August 2015, builds on
previous study visits enabling new consultants to the team to receive mentoring,
coaching and professional support from Bendigo educators in a range of educational
settings, incorporating Secondary and Primary schools and Early Childhood
Education settings
Alola mobile library

Story Reading

Donated Items
The BMFC has facilitated the delivery of school furniture, knitted infant clothing and
donated items via shipped containers. There have been ongoing donations of school
furniture as items become available, due to schools in Central Victoria being
refurbished. Additional items are donated to the BMFC from the Bendigo community.

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A regular contributor to the Maubisse Hospital and Carmelite Pre-birth Mothers Clinic
is a group of knitters residing in many locations throughout Victoria. This work, and
collection of these items, is co-ordinated by Patti Cotton. The committee expresses
appreciation for this valuable contribution.
Three Ultrasound machines were donated by High Street XRay Bendigo and
shipped to Dili for installation at Dr. Dans Bairo Pite Clinic. This equipment [recently
decommissioned and serviced] will be a valuable asset in assisting provision of
improved health-care in Timor Leste. This is a significant contribution to a country
that is working hard to develop Medical and Hospital services and sincere
appreciation is extended to High Street XRay, Siemens and Keystone Radiology.
Further appreciation is extended to the wonderful VCAL Students at Bendigo Senior
Secondary College, supported by teacher Sue Pickles. As a result of their recent
study of Timor Leste, this group conducted a number of fundraising activities to
assist students at Maubisse High School through the purchase of school resources
and much needed sporting equipment.

VCAL Students spending money raised for Maubisse students

VCAL student project

Community House
The Committee is pleased to report that the Community House (previously referred
to as the Womens house) is now being put to productive use. The building is
occupied by live-in SOLS (Science of Life Systems) coordinators and mature age
students and delivers English speaking and life skill programs.
A great deal of effort and resources has gone into this facility. Previous incidents of
vandalism and theft have now been addressed. This is an example of the
Community taking ownership and committing to a great outcome.

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SOs student activity at the Community House

Artist in Residence Program

In June this year Committee members together with an artist and art teacher, visited
Maubisse to establish a coordinated program of art classes. These were delivered to
junior and senior high school students, and some adults. Classes were conducted in
both the Catholic and Public Elementary Schools to groups of students ranging from
40 in some classes, and 20-30 in others. Classes were taught morning and
afternoon in the Church Hall to groups of 8-10 students, mostly teenagers, but also
adults selected to be fostered as group leaders to ensure continuity of the program.

Young art students

Classroom activities

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The local Maubisse Community art committee took responsibility for organizing an
evaluation meeting to conclude the program, and presented the Bendigo team leader
with a written evaluation to take back to the BMFC. This local committee is also
working towards developing a formal plan for their Art Program and will consult with
their community before they finalize it and forward it to BMFC. They will outline in
this plan the ways in which the BMFC can assist them in further developing and
sustaining the program. On the last night in Maubisse the team attended a farewell
dinner organized by the Maubisse community, and left with a strong sense that the
program had received very genuine local support, and had been much appreciated.
Water storage and connection
Planning has been completed for the delivery of a water infrastructure project in
partnership with the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst. In July, a team will construct
a water connection and storage facility at the Pre-birth mothers boarding house
operated by the local Carmelite Sisters. This clinic provides service to large numbers
of mothers in the Maubisse district.
Risk Management
Throughout the course of this year the Committee has worked diligently to produce a
detailed Risk Management Manual. This is essentially a Volunteer Deployment
procedure, providing detailed information and procedures for teams visiting Timor
Leste. This important document fulfills part of our many obligations as a Section 86
Committee under the auspice of the City of Greater Bendigo. The document is
comprehensive and will assist committee volunteers with preparation, and suggests
actions required, in the event of unexpected circumstances. The Committee extends
appreciation to Matt Dorfstaetter for his expertise and hard work in putting this
documentation together.
BMFC Partnerships
The BMFC relies heavily on partnerships formed both locally and in Timor Leste.
The Committee acknowledges the value of the following relationships:
Timor Leste

Ainaro District and Sub District Administration together with local village
Sucos

The Carmelite and Franciscan Sisters in Maubisse provide valuable links to

the Maubisse community. The Sisters greatly assist the BMFC with
communication, accommodation and contacts. The Carmelite Fatuhada
Convent in Dili provides accommodation for work and professional teams enroute to Maubisse and prior to leaving East Timor.

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Local Maubisse Community Committees overseeing a range of projects

including container unpacking, Scholarship and English speaking programs
and Arts program support group.

Rotary Australia World Community Service [RAWCS] Dili based Rotarian

Daryl Mills, offers advice and valuable assistance with containers, logistical
arrangements in East Timor, transport and general support for work teams.

Fundasaun Alola assists building capacity in education and health in

Maubisse and other parts of Timor Leste and provides oversight of the
Scholarship Program in Maubisse. The Foundation has a strong relationship
with the East Timor Ministry of Education and is an accredited agency
providing teacher training throughout Timor Leste.

Australia

Department of Education and Training [North West Victoria Region] support

for continued salvage of surplus furniture, building materials and equipment
from de-commissioned Bendigo schools

North West Victoria Regional schools provision of on-site study tour training
opportunities for the Alola Foundation Education Consultancy team.

VCAL class Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Commonwealth Bank

[Hargreaves Street Bendigo Branch], Latrobe University Bendigo Campus,
North Central Goldfields Regional Library, Bendigo Football Netball

League, Laurel Street Primary School and Strathfieldsaye Primary School

for donation of uniforms, sports equipment, school resources and school
furniture.

Rotary Clubs of Eaglehawk, Bendigo South, Bendigo Sandhurst, Bendigo

Strathdale and Chadstone East Malvern, whose members continue to support
committee programs and projects, volunteering at working bees, and
participating in work teams in Timor Leste.

Fasso Transport Bendigo and Grays Bendigo, whose practical and financial
support with the cost and logistics of dispatching containers is highly valued.

Rotary International Rotarians from many clubs volunteer and provide

significant financial contribution by self-funding work teams and making
donations.

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Strong working links with local service clubs including Zonta International and
Soroptimist International Bendigo.

AFS Partners in Success Chartered Accountants [Andrew Frewin & Paul

Byrne]

Donors groups, service clubs, businesses and individuals supporting with

fundraisers, financial donations, and community based projects (knitting) and
donations of goods.

BUPA resident knitters presenting their work to Fundasaun Alola Education team members.

Financial Statements
Refer to Appendix B for the Audited Financial Report for the period ended 30 th June
2015

Current and Emerging Issues

Transition to new Municipal Governance
In 2014 Local Government Victoria and State Government Victoria, signed a
Protocol of Cooperation with the Timor-Leste Government. As a result of this

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protocol, various Victorian Local Governments (VLGs) have been invited to form a
partnership with one of the 13 districts in Timor-Leste to support an ultimate
transition towards a new municipal structure. In the first instance the VLGs will
provide Government to Government support, as new regionally based staff are
deployed in Timor-Leste districts. Municipal style elections will eventually follow in
each district and there will be opportunity for the VLGs to assist this significant
change in the way Timor-Leste is governed.
The City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB) was offered the opportunity to form a
partnership with the District of Bobonaro. During the course of this year BMFC
strongly expressed a preference to continue the committees existing relationship
with Maubisse. Council is yet to sign an Agreement in relation to the Bobonaro
District and as a result of informal discussions, the Committee is pursuing the
possibility of a joint relationship with the City of Ballarat for the Ainaro District, of
which Maubisse is part. Arrangements are in place for a meeting between Ballarat
City and its Community Friendship Group to establish protocols for such a
relationship.
City of Greater Bendigo Financial support and Section 86 status.
The funding and service Agreement with Council expired as at 30 th June this year. At
the time of writing this report there has been no decision in respect to ongoing
funding arrangements and the legal status of the Committee.
The BMFC recently adopted a 3year budget and plan, containing a number of
programs and projects - all subject to consultation with the Maubisse Community and
subsequent agreement with the Ainaro District. This Program will require Volunteer
effort together with a cash contribution in excess of $210,000 over this 3year period.
Our committee are hopeful that the much relied upon funding from Council will
continue.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. City of Greater Bendigo receives the 2014-15 BMFC Annual Report.

2. BMFC and Council acknowledge and express appreciation to the many
organizations and individual volunteers identified in this report, who have
willingly given time and energy in support of the Maubisse community
development, through the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee.

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Appendix A

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Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee Endorsed Project requests 2015

Organization

Project

BMFC

Friendship Relationship

BMFC, Maubisse Education

Committee, MASEU & SOLs

Scholarship project

Admnistration Office
Maubisse

4 stroke whipper snipper

Maubisse Radio Station

Upgrade of equipment

Maubisse Hospital

Provision of knitted baby clothes

Maubisse Hospital

Training doctors in use of Ultrasound

equipment

Maubisse Hospital

Dental exchange and training program

Carmelites

Water storage and connection to pre-birth

mothers accommodation

Carmelites

Knitted baby clothes

1
0

MASEU

English as an additional language teaching

support

1
1

SOLS

Greenhouse construction and use

1
2

Maubisse Community

Garbage and recycling

1
3

Maubisse Community

Artists in Residence

1
4

Maubisse Junior High School School furniture for staff and students

1
5

Mau Lau School

Replace school roof

1
6

Mau Lau School

Furniture

1
7

Beremoli Eskola

Provision of sporting equipment

Organization

Project

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Alola Foundation Dili Education Education Consultant exchange and

Team
Training Team of 5 work in Bendigo
Education settings 2 weeks.

Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee project requests for future

consideration.
Organization

Project

18

All public schools

Outdoor kitchen facilities

19

Maubisse
Community

Marketing Strategies

20

Maubisse
Community

Plumbing training

21

Manetu/Liquetei

Water Connection

22

Manetu

Street Lighting

23

Aituto

Classroom

24

Maubisse Junior High Library

School

25

Maubisse
Public Refurbish
School and Fatubesi

26

Betalula

Buildings

27

Horaqui

Complete building for handicapped children

28

Beremoli Eskola

Volley ball courts - water connection

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