‘Across the Timor Sea’ could not have achieved anywhere near what they have, without the support of many generous people along the way.

The Student Sponsorship Program is well on the way to the target of twelve students attending St. Francis of Assisi (two in each of the six levels).
In 2018 there will be ten students starting their secondary education at the school, supported in doing so by their Sponsors.

Seven of the eight, 2017 Students
~ November, 2017

In 2017 Across the Timor Sea, with the valuable assistance of Rotary International: Donations in Kind, has shipped 148 boxes and bags of donated goods, as well as 79 desks/chairs and school/office equipment.

We couldn’t have managed without you.

What a wonderful night was the Quiz Night was!
It was a first for Across the Timor Sea and a thunder storm was forecast, so we were apprehensive, however all fears disappeared as the wonderful group of people arrived.

Across the Timor Sea and Donations in Kind (Scarborough Rotary) projects will benefit from the funds raised.

Jennifer, our ‘thanks’ do not seem enough to show our appreciation of all the time, skill and enthusiasm you gave for the event. Your guidance and reassurance was greatly appreciated. You are amazing.

We would also like to thank Wendy, from Melville Friends of Hatolia. Wendy undertook the onerous task organizing and operating the Silent Auction, which considerably contributed to the success of the night.

Jan was overwhelmingly involved in preparing for the Quiz Night beforehand, at the Quiz Night on the Friday night, quickly finished packing for her trip on Saturday, then flew out for Timor Lestè on the Sunday.

Luckily there was a hold up in Darwin, and the Airline provided hotel accommodation for the passengers, so Jan had an enforced rest.

Jan went to Timor Lestè to follow up on various Across the Timor Sea projects.

It is nearly the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month ~ which will be a time to stop and remember. It is just one minute to acknowledge so much.
This particular time was first chosen because it was the moment when hostilities ended in Europe (1918) and since then, has been a time of remembrance of those who have died in war.

Across the Timor Sea carries on the tradition of remembering.
Just as these two men, from such different backgrounds, retained their bond of friendship and mutual respect over many, many years.

The Plaque
Honouring the friendship between Norman Nicolay and Domingos Baretto

THEY DID NOT FORGET

Health and Education has always been a focus and priority for Across the Timor Sea, so when the water pumps were installed in Ailalec Village, we were delighted to see the development of family gardens flourishing there.

On her visit to St Francis of Assisi School, Jan was taken to see the School Garden.
The students are justifiably proud of their garden, and what they produce.
~ All watered by bucket!

Recently, FR. Nico (Principal) sent Jan further photographs of the St Francis of Assisi school garden.
The difference is remarkable. The students have gained such rewards for their hard work.

This knowledge and enthusiasm will make a difference when they return to their home villages.

On Friday 13th of October from 7 PM, Across the Timor Sea, with Donations in Kind (Rotary Scarborough), are holding a holding a quiz night to raise much needed funds for their humanitarian projects.

Quiz Night Poster

That night, on each table there will be pamphlets briefly explaining the past, present and future projects of these organizations.

Enquiries: Jenny Mott 0422 606 144

Whilst in Timor Lestè, working on Across the Timor Sea Projects, Jan came across a magnificent statue of an East Timorese hero ~ Dom Boaventura.

Dom Boaventura was the king of the Manufahi tribe during the Portuguese colonial period in Timor. He led a rebellion, from 1895 ~ 1912, for their freedom from colonial rule.

His story was harrowing. Jan was told that he fought until he was trapped on a mountain top, then captured.
Not much was known about what happened to him, after his capture, until his descendants were told his body was buried outside Samè Cemetery.

Whilst the scholarship program to support the secondary education of two Ailalec students each year will always be the priority for ‘Across the Timor Sea’, Jan has been the conduit of a remarkable array of donated goods.

Jan’s family room ……… Full of donated goods for Timor Lestè.

There is a great need for these goods, however transporting them to Timor Lestè has always been a great challenge. When Trevor Canning (from Donations in Kind, Scarborough Rotary) offered support, it was an enormous relief. As Donations in Kind, had a container of goods heading for Timor Lestè, they were willing to transport Across the Timor Sea’s goods as well.

The lorry loaded with the goods, headed for Timor Lestè.

Another Project that Across the Timor Sea has initiated, is the building of an Early Childhood Education Centre at Ailalec Primary School, with the donation of funds for the construction of the building by the SANGORA Foundation. This was a dream for Jan, because she fundamentally believes in the importance of education, and that a good early start is vital.
Because Ailalec is so remote, progress on this project has been slow, but with Max Bird (from Kwinana Rotary Club) mentoring, Jan was able to negotiate the contract with the Village Council, and plans are now in place for the building to go ahead. Max’s experience and advice was invaluable and gratefully appreciated.

Over the past few years, much investment has been made to improve roads in Timor Lestè, which is really making a difference. Even though Ailalec Village is in a remote place, high in the mountains, this year finance has been approved for works on the road from Samè to Ailalec. These works will be a partnership between villagers, who will provide the labour, and the Timor Lestè Government, which will provide expertise and funds.

Works to improve access will also make it easier for Jan next time she visits Ailalec to catch up with friends there and monitor Across the Timor Sea projects, as each time she has visited something challenging has happened on the way.

She has always hired a 4WD, however on one occasion it couldn’t go on any longer so horses were brought in so they could continue their journey.

During another visit, monsoon storms had resulted in a large tree blocking the roadway.

Walking long distances is considered commonplace by locals, though use of horses is considered just as valuable as it was to the Australian Commandos there during WW2.

Motorcycles are also popular. During her last visit to Timor Lestè, Jan was kindly offered a lift to her next destination, however it was on a motorcycle …….. and she had never been on one before!

With each visit to Timor Lestè, Jan has appreciated the progress evident, which bodes well for the future in this emerging nation.

‘Across the Timor Sea’ first began, to honour the bond of mutual respect and friendship that was formed between Norman Nicolay (who was then a young Australian 2/4th Commando) and a much younger Nicolof (Domingos Baretto), who was his creado (Timorese Helper).

Though both of these men are no longer with us, a few years ago, Jan met the sister of another WW2 creado (Douglas), who still had very clear memories of the time the Australians were in Ailalec (her home village) during WW2.

During her last visit to Timor Lestè, Jan was able to again meet up with Douglas’ sister.
Though old now, she is a remarkable woman, who has lived through so much.

Douglas’ Sister

Douglas, Circa 1943

Douglas (who was ‘creado’ to the 2/4th Commando C.O. Major Mac Walker) endeared himself to the Australian Commandos in East Timor during their time there in 1942/43.

It is ANZAC Day tomorrow, and it is a time where we honour memories of sacrifices given in so many ways. The story of what happened in East Timor during WW2, though not widely known, is also remarkable.

In 2012, on behalf of ‘Across the Timor Sea’, Jan gave the Villagers of Ailalec a plaque, (honouring the WW2 friendship formed between Ailalec locals and Australian Commandos) which they later installed.

The outcome was outstanding, and when Jan was last there, Don Walker, who was with the group, particularly wanted to visit the site because he is the son of Max Walker (the 2/4th Commanding Officer of the Australian Commandos in Ailalec Village during 1942).

At the plaque honouring the friendship between Domingos Baretto and Norman Nicolay.

Lest we forget.