Ekipa Tasi Mos Atauro Timor-Leste, Recycle Station

Another outstanding initiative of Barry Hinton and his team in Atauro Island. Article below. Ekipa Tasi Mos Atauro, Timor-Leste, (Clean Ocean Team Atauro) is a community organization that aims to remove and record plastic pollution from the marine environment that surround the waters of Atauro and to assist the community in reducing their use of...

Dehan Lae ba Kopu Plastiku nebe mak uja dala ida! Say No to Single Use Plastic Cups!

Many of our partner schools will be familiar with the wonderful environmental/eco tourism programs of Barry Hinton from Barry's Place Atauro Island. Barry's sons Micky and Mardy have now taken the next step to eliminate single use plastic cups littering the Atauro Island. Below is their Change.Org article . Micky and Mardy Hinton, Youth Ambassadors...

State Visit by Timor-Leste Ambassador H.E Abel Guterres

Kirsty Sword-Cusmao, Steve Bracks AC, Abel Guterres An invitation from Mr Peter McMullin (Honorary Consul of Timor-Leste in Victoria) arrived for a member of the GVFS to attend a reception to be held at Queens Hall Parliament House on the occasion of a State visit by Timor-leste Ambassador to Australia, H.E Abel Guterres. A fitting...

Screening of Alias Ruby Blade

Rosemary Nugent manning the ticket booth A very successful film fundraiser was held at Clonard College on 20 May, Timor-Leste’s Restoration of Independence Day. A great turnout of interested people viewed this inspiring and powerful documentary film.  It chronicles the remarkable story of Kirsty Sword, a human rights activist who becomes passionately involved in the plight of...

Celebrating Timor Leste Independence

This year the City of Greater Geelong continues its commitment to the people of Timor Leste by celebrating their 17th year of Independence. On Friday 17th May the Timor Leste flag will be raised and supporters will gather to hear the experiences of local Kardinia International students following their visit in 2018. Professor Glen Guest...

Assist our Literacy & Teacher Training Program in Viqueque

Starting in 2019, Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools (GVFS) has partnered with Mary MacKillop Today (MMT) in an innovative teacher training in Viqueque. 40 Viqueque teachers will take part and GVFS has committed to covering the expenses for seven teachers at a total cost of $A14,000. The focus is on assisting the professional development of current primary...

Investing in East Timor’s youth is an investment in the Future

Timorese parents value education. The students, both boys and girls, are very keen to attend  primary and secondary school. The government has invested in the regions schools by building and equipping many primary and secondary schools. They have also employed teachers for these schools. However, a high proportion of the teachers have minimum or no...

With little steps big journeys start

During 2017-2018, Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools Inc supported Mary MacKillop International’s one-year training program. This funding allowed 5 teachers from Viqueque to participate. It allowed 150 children to receive quality education in the classroom and to assist  in creating a positive future for themselves and their community. This teacher training program is particularly vital in...

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN… WITHOUT TECH IN TIMOR

    With the pressure of VCE, social media and the big question of “what’s next” looming over them, 18 students in year 11 at Sacred Heart College have turned to their neighbours for some perspective. Leaving behind their family, Facebook and even their phones, the young women embarked on an 11-day program in Timor...