"Developing social responsibility and connectedness with Timor Leste"
We had a lovely catch up with Margie Beck OAM who greatly enjoyed reconnecting with so many she hadn’t seen for a long time. Margie has now retired as Vice-Director of Marist Teachers’ College in Baucau but continues to voluntarily organise the scholarships program and other projects. After living in Timor-Leste for twenty years, there... Continue Reading →
A recent screening of Kafe Timor, a series of short films showing the importance of the coffee industry to Timor-Leste, was held at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville. Grown in the high mountains, coffee is Timor-Leste’s largest non-oil industry, providing a livelihood for more than 30% of the Timorese people. The process of growing beans... Continue Reading →
Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools' Trivia Night Friday 29th April, 2022 This year, the committee made a decision to hold a Trivia Night, rather than a Dinner as we have done in previous years. What a great decision! The Trivia Night was an outstanding success, both financially and socially. Thank you to everyone who contributed in... Continue Reading →
‘UMA- Home’ Familia da Silva We would like to thank all who contributed to our recent Art for Timor Photographic Exhibition which highlighted our shared humanity with our near neighbours in Viqueque, Timor-Leste. The theme Uma-Home was selected to highlight the similarities and differences we share in our daily lives. The word home means different... Continue Reading →
The 'Art for Timor' Committee is thrilled that so many Geelong locals are enjoying their visits to the Rachinger Gallery to view the 'Art for Timor' Art show. For those who are currently unable to visit the gallery space, long time committee member (and former GVFS President) Peter Cannon has provided us with a sneak... Continue Reading →
The flag of Timor-Leste A reminder as to why our friends and neighbour Timor Leste warrants our support. I have just read Crossing the Line by Kim McGrath. The plight and tragedy of the Timorese is graphically portrayed as the story of the oil boundary unfolds. The author focuses on the Timor Sea and our government’s negotiations... Continue Reading →
Sadly this year, the 18 Clonard students from Year 11 were unable to participate in our immersion program to explore East Timor and visit our sister school Uaimori in the Viqueque region. During the time at Clonard in the lead up to the planned immersion dates, the students organised several BBQs and cake/slice stalls to... Continue Reading →
In these difficult days I am pleased to pass on some good news. After a lot of hard work and dedication Simmy de Rosario and Afonso Soares have now successfully completed their Masters program at Deakin University. As a result of these studies they have both been successful in recent applications for Directors positions at the... Continue Reading →
Rosemany Nugent with Xanana Gusmão . Geelong West resident and former teacher Rosemary Nugent, felt privileged to accompany First Lady Dr Kirsty Sword Gusmão AO and nine others on a Study Tour to Timor-Leste in August 2019. There were many opportunities to witness the important role played by women in their community, including those associated... Continue Reading →
GVFS was again delighted to have financially supported the excellent teacher training programs conducted by Mary MacKillop Today. Its Literacy Team continued its training in Viqueque with a five-day program for 45 primary teachers from remote schools. The objective of the training was to understand the new curriculum developed by the Ministry of Education with a... Continue Reading →
Geelong-Viqueque Friendship Schools 