A Race on Sea and Land

14 May, 2003

On the 10th of May, Australian brothers Luke and Dan Gosling started a race across 700km of sea and land, symbolizing brotherhood between the nations of Timor-Leste and Australia. Luke will Sea kayak 600km across the Timor Sea from Darwin, then continue overland towards the finishing line in Dili. Dan will fly from Darwin to Tutuala and race towards Dili from there.

The pair hopes to represent the concern and contribution of thousands of Australians in Timor-Leste between the years 1942 to 1999 and beyond, through the UN Peacekeeping Force, NGOs and GOs, corporations and individual efforts. The endeavors will attract international attention to the recently independent nation through means of a colorful website, a feature documentary film, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, domestic television and radio promotion. The website, www.nashweb.com.au/nextstep will provide regular updates of the race, and features photographs by Ross Bird.

"Our plan is to promote Timor-Leste's next step towards true independence. We will be supporting vulnerable women and children as well as promoting the beauty and the opportunities available in the world's newest nation", said Dan and Luke

The film will be produced/directed by twice Academy Award winner David Bradbury. An optimistic film like this will promote tourism and investment in Timor-Leste. Sponsors will also be promoted through this film.

Beneficiaries of the race (after coverage of project costs) will be the Alola Foundation, East Timor National Hospital (Midwifery services), and the Balibo House Trust Fund. Funds for Balibo House will go into refurbishing the building itself, hence addressing the needs of the Balibo community. The project has already raised and donated $8,000 to Alola Foundation, assisting the foundation in its work relieving victims of gender based/domestic violence, and East Timor's widowed women. For the hospital, the project will raise money for the purchase of desperately needed Maternity Ward equipment.

Donations can be made to "Life Love and Health Inc" and sent to the following address: Project Ro Halai Taru, PO BOX 498, Bulleen Vic 3105. It may be possible to contact Luke Gosling by satellite phone: +61414938114, or later by email, luke_j_gosling@hotmail.com