WALK TO FUND RAISE FOR VIQUEQUE HIGH SCHOOL

Dili, 23 April 2004
Following the footsteps of the WWII Australian Commondos who landed in Betano, Timor-Leste, in 1942, a Geelong (Australia) High School teacher, Mr. Dirk Stobbe and his two daughters, are walking from Betano to Dili, the Capital of Timor-Leste. The aim of the walk is to raise fund for a Viqueque High School that has 400 students but no running water or toilet.

Mr. Stobbe, 67 years old, was inspired by his colleague, Ralph Baldwin, who spent time fighting Japanese in Timor-Leste during WWII, and the vital role the local people played in helping the Australians. 40,000 East Timorese died during the war and only a Viqueque resident, Celestino dos Ankos was awarded the Loyal Service Medal for the help given to the Australian Forces at the time. Mr. Stobbe vowed to walk 100km and arrive in Dili on April 23, even if he has to “come into Dili on my knees”.

Timor-Leste Government Officials will welcome Mr. Stobbe and his walkmates at 11:30am, Friday 23 April, at their arrival point – in front of the Government Palace, Dili. “Timor-Leste Government appreciates the efforts of Mr. Ralph Baldwin and Mr. Stobbe in fostering the vibrant community cooperation and contribute immensely to the development of our society at the grass root level, the fund raising effort is imaginative, creative and healthy”, said Mr. Nelson Santos, the Secretary General for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Viqueque established friendship city relationship with the City of Greater Geelong in January 2002. Mr. Stobbe is a member of the Friendship City Committee Working Group.

Since 1999, East Timorese towns and districts began establishing international relationships with friendship cities in Australia, USA and elsewhere. The primary relationships are between the local government/community group overseas and the District Administration/local community group in their designated area in Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste has greatly benefited from its international relationships, and has a great deal to offer the world as well.

To enable a better coordination and facilitation of these Friendship Relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ministry of State Administration, Local Governments in Australia and the Australian Volunteers International, are working together to engage a Timorese Liaison Worker, supported by an AVI Volunteer, to develop and extend the Friendship City program to establish new relationships and facilitate existing ties at the Sub District level.

Anyone who is interested in sponsoring Mr. Stobbe in his efforts to help Viqueque High School can send their donation to Christian College East Timor Walk, P. O. Box 146, Belmont, 3216 Australia.