Photo credit: Lisan

Trivia fundraiser for Aileu University Scholarship Program

When: 7pm Thursday 28 September 2023

Where: Brunswick Town Hall

Trivia, Games, Prizes, Raffle, Live Auction and Silent Auction

MC Oliver Clarke

Light finger food, soft drink provided        BYO drinks and any more substantial food

 Tickets: $65, Concessions available

Aileu celebrates its local identity

Aileu is a stronghold of the Mambai ethno-linguistic population of Timor-Leste, and the people maintain strong connections to traditional culture developed over at least the last thousand years.  Aspects of these traditions reverberate beyond Aileu and the Mambai homeland, hence the term Aileu Rai Husar or Aileu the Navel of the Land.

Friends of Aileu has supported the annual Aileu Expo, a celebration of traditional produce, products and culture, over the past 18 years.  The Expo, organised by the Aileu Resource and Training Centre, is usually held in November as part of the commemoration of the 1975 Proclamation of Independence in the days before the full-scale Indonesian invasion.

This year the Expo is being held in July as part of the broader celebration of Aileu's establishment as an administrative district in 1973, during what became the last years of Portuguese rule.  Aileu continued as an administrative district through East Timor’s period of Indonesian occupation and UN administration and with the restoration of independence in 2002.

The people of Aileu have developed a strong contemporary civic identity and look back with pride on the 50 years of existence as a distinct administrative entity.  They also look forward with hope and determination as the current Municipality of Aileu prepares for the establishment of responsible elected local government in the near future.

Friends of Aileu is proud to support the people of Aileu as they come together in celebration this month with an expanded Expo showcasing economic activities and opportunities under the theme Together to Build and Strengthen Aileu for the Future.

We have already provided $4,000 for the Expo 2023 but are responding for a request to support additional aspects of the 50th anniversary celebrations with further $3,000.

You are invited to contribute to the costs of the celebration of Aileu's 50th anniversary.

Above: Twelve of the scholarship students with Jose Valente (Centre, light shirt), Secretary of the Aileu Friendship Commission

Aileu University Scholarship Program

This year Friends of Aileu provided $10,780 to fund the tuition fees for 20 young people from Aileu studying at universities in Dili, Timor-Leste.

Of the 20 scholarship recipients for 2023 (12 male and 8 female), 17 are continuing their studies from 2022 and 3 are new recipients selected for 2023.

One of this year's graduates is Juliana Mendonça of Maumeta, Remexio.  Juliana, pictured with her parents and the Secretary of the Aileu Friendship Commission, Jose Valente, graduated in Tourism (Hotel) from Dili Institute of Technology.

Scholarship recipients are selected by the Aileu Friendship Commission, which manages the funding for the Friends of Aileu.  The students meet with the Commission periodically throughout the year to report back on their studies.

Fourth year student Zeferino (Centre, blue jacket) with teacher colleagues and students during his internship at Hoholau Central School

Teacher Training Scholarships

This year Friends of Aileu provided $4,280 to fund the tuition fees of 7 young people (4 male and 3 female) from Aileu studying for a Bachelor of Education at the Baucau Teachers College.

Four of the students are continuing their studies from 2022 and 3 are new recipients selected for 2023.  Four recent graduates have obtained volunteer teacher positions in Aileu schools.

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of need by staff of the college and payments are made through Australian Marist Solidarity.

Photo credit: Bakode Photography

Aileu Perma Youth Camp 2023

With the support of Friends of Aileu, the Aileu Anan Association, the Aileu University Students Association and Remexio youth group KJLO, worked together with PERMATIL to host the 2023 Aileu PermaYouth Camp.  The camp took place from 5th to 9th June at Talabela, Aldeia Lerolisa, Suku Acumau, Remexio.

The camp was attended by over 300 people, including 237 youth from most of the 33 Sucos (villages) in the Administrative Posts of Aileu Vila, Lequidoe, Laulara and Remexio.

Participants learnt about Conservation of Water Resources, Conservation Agriculture and Sloping Land Agricultural Technology (SALT) terracing, which they will implement in their home villages.

Giving Circle Dinner fundraiser for Aileu Resource and Training Centre

Friends of Aileu Community Committee member Glenyys Romanes and friends organised a successful Giving Circle Dinner in March for 60 guests who enjoyed a delicious meal while catching up with friends.

Guests enjoyed trying their hand at a game of Trugo guided by members of the Brunswick Trugo Club.

Dr Martin Hall, Dental Health Services Victoria, gave an update on Kose Nehan, the Aileu Oral Health Education Project.  Dr Hall shared progress on forming partnerships to expand this work across other areas of Timor-Leste. 

The event raised $7,880 for the Aileu Resource and Training Centre, allowing it to continue its work improving the livelihoods of local rural communities.

Photo credit:

Friends of Aileu at the Sydney Road Street Party and the Glenroy Festival

Friends of Aileu supporters attended Sydney Road Street Party in March and Glenroy Festival earlier this year yo share messages of friendship with Aileu with people attending the festivities.

Chico Dos Santos shared East Timorese stories and songs with children at the Glenroy Festival.

Friends of Aileu Anniversary Dinner

Friends of Aileu celebrated its 23rd anniversary with a dinner for 100 guests at Town Hall Broadmeadows in May.

Guest speaker Bill Armstrong AO shared some challenging and inspiring thoughts on the value of community-based friendship with Timor-Leste and Australia's other near neighbours.  Bill also spoke about the importance of working for community development and self-determination. 

See: Friends of Aileu Dinner - YouTube for a video of Bill Armstrong’s address on Australia / Timor-Leste Friendship in the 2020s: A decade of new challenges and opportunities

The fabulous Dili Allstars and cultural group the Timor Oan'S provided a stunning performance of East Timorese music and dance.

The event raised $3,130 to help support the Aileu Friendship Commission and community development projects in Aileu.

Video and photo credit: Robin dos Santos

The Circle of Silence, Shirley Shackleton's search for truth over the Balibo 5 killings

Friends of Aileu's Demand Cinema screening of The Circle of Silence in June drew 70 people to the Palace Cinema Pentridge, raising $370 for the Aileu Oral Health Education project.

Thanks to film-maker Luigi Acquisto, who kindly joined the audience for a Q&A session after the screening.