Recent achievements

Over the last eight years, the Friends of Aileu has achieved a lot. Here are some of our recent achievements.

Appointment of Project Worker in Aileu

In November 2007 , AVI volunteer, Chris Adams, began an eighteen month assignment working as project officer with the Aileu District Administration. Chris is assisting the Administration on project planning and implementation. His position is funded by Friends of Aileu, with accommodation provided by the District Administration.

Visits to Aileu by Project Coordinator 

In September 2007, the Friends of Aileu Project Coordinator, Richard Brown, visited Dili and Aileu, to discuss the Friendship relationship. He met East Timorese government officials in Dili and had meetings with the Aileu Commission and other officials in Aileu.

In June 2008, he again visited Aileu, with a delegation from Friends of Aileu, Campaspe Shire, and Moora Moora Community, where he again met with District officials. Following the visit, he attended the Dili Friendship Conference.

Visit to Observe National Elections 

During 2007, the Chair of Friends of Aileu, Cr Gary Jungwirth, Cr Joe Caputo, Cr Mark Higginbotham and Friends of Aileu members, Fae Ingledew, and Dr Peter Cock and Sandra Cock, visited Aileu as observers during the parliamentary and presidential elections held between April and June. They were part of an Observer Mission organised by the VLGA, which was the largest overseas observer delegation from anywhere in the world.

Partnership agreements signed

At a ceremony marking the 7th anniversary of Friends of Aileu on 4 May 2007, Moreland and Hume City Councils signed MoUs with six partner organisations: Australian Volunteers International, the Shire of Campaspe, Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE, Moreland Community Health Centre, the Moora Moora Community and the Alternative Technology association. The will assist the development of projects to assist Aileu. Friends of Aileu also has a strong relationship with Coffex Coffee Ltd, which roasts and packages East Timor coffee for fundraising, and with Coburg Rotary Club, which supports the tertiary scholarship program.