Timor-Leste friendship
In 2008, Macedon Ranges Shire Council supported developing a friendship with the sub-district of Turiscai in Timor-Leste. As a result of this, a local community group, the Macedon Ranges Friends of East Timor (MRFoET) was established to develop this friendship.
In 2014, a Friendship Agreement was signed by representatives of the three partners and in 2016 a revised municipal cooperation agreement was signed between Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the district of Manufahi. Turiscai is one of the four sub-districts in Manufahi.
The facilitation of the friendship with Timor-Leste is led by MRFoET who work with the local communities in Turiscai to identify and develop projects. Macedon Ranges Shire Council supports the activities of MRFoET to raise awareness in Macedon Ranges of the issues in Timor-Leste and provide opportunities for the community to engage in activities and events that develop ongoing support. MRFOET’s work is focused on the strategic areas of:
- education
- maternal and child health
- economic and community development.
- Established a local Community Reference Group in Turiscai to identify needs and opportunities for collaboration with the Macedon Ranges community.
- First stage of a teacher training program delivered to 26 primary school and two kindergarten teachers in partnership with the Alola Foundation.
- Locally-appropriate readers printed by the YWCA in Dili and distributed to all 13 primary schools in Turiscai.
- Delivered equipment and teaching materials donated by local (Macedon Ranges) primary schools and toy libraries to two recently established kindergartens in Turiscai.
- Delivered ex-Macedon Ranges Shire Council sports uniforms to be used in local sporting activities for young people.
During 2020 and until March 2021 COVID-19 was kept “under control” as the country was in lockdown. There were no infections until March 2021 when infections increased and a state of emergency was declared. Then on 4 April 2021 Cyclone Seroja flooded communities and devastated much of Timor Leste.
- MRFoET has since funded the delivery of food and basic essentials to families severely affected with a contribution of AU$4,000.
- In partnership with JDN University and tertiary students in the capital Dili, food packages to value of AU$1,500 have been delivered.
- MRFoET are continuing to respond to community needs in the wake of the devastation caused by flooding from the cyclone and the impacts of COVID-19.
For more information on Council’s partnership in Timor-Leste: