Saturday, February 14, 2009

Welcome to our Sydney and Hunter East Timor Sisters!

We have been working with our Sydney Sisters for some time now. The Sydney Sisters have been fund raising in the North suburbs of Sydney. They were instrumental in raising funds for the water tank for Mana Kassian's village in Bugoro. They have raised the profile of our group in their community. Well done Sydney Sisters!
Just before Christmas we were fortunate to assist the establishment of the Hunter East Timor Sisters group. We look forward to a very productive relationship with our sisters in the Hunter.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Fernanda Borges visit Saturday March 7th

Fernanda Borges will be visiting the Mountains on Saturday March 7th.
Fernanda is a leading East Timorese politician and the only female party leader in the Timor Leste national parliament (see below).
BMETS will be holding a Forum at Blue Mountains City Council from 2-4, which will include a screening of ETWA's Tais documentary film ‘Heru Ini Lafu: Weaving Life’.
Fernanda will be accompanied by the delightful Clinton Fernandes, who many will remember from his visit a couple of years ago. .
They will attend a MMET event at Bonnyrigg on Sunday and go to Newcastle for a HETS even on Monday!
You can also watch a short video of Fernanda at: http://abc.com.au/rn/latenightlive/features/timor/episode1.htm
More information 47574478Mary

Other related East Timor events:
The next BMETS Garage Sale is on Saturday 21st February at 66 Wentworth St, Blackheath - donations welcome Ring Gail for more details 47876310
The Springwood East Timor Support Group extends an to everyone to attend their
Concert "Music that Smiles for Children" - Sunday 15th February (2-5pm) at the - an afternoon of relaxing music, to raise much-needed funds for Topu Honis Children's Home in the enclave of Oekusi, Timor Leste. The concert will be held at The Carrington Ballroom, Katoomba. Bookings with Chris and Vanessa 4758 8030

More about Fernanda Borges -
Fernanda Borges is in Australia to coincide with International Women's Day and the launch of East Timor Women's Association (ETWA) long-awaited film. Ms Fernanda Borges, a leading East Timorese politician and the only female party leader in the national parliament, will be visiting Australia as part of IWD events, celebrating the achievements of women. This year also marks ten years since the people of East Timor voted for independence in a historic ballot. Fernanda Borges will speak about the critical role played by women in the struggle for independence, as well in cultural regeneration and national development. She will call for justice for the crimes against humanity perpetrated against the people of East Timor during the occupation. Ms Borges will speak in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra at the screening of the documentary film ‘Heru Ini Lafu: Weaving Life’. Heru Ini Lafu is a meditative and unique film that journeys into rural communities to show a side of East Timorese life that is rarely seen on the Australian screen. The film highlights women’s contributions to the independence struggle and celebrates their critical role in cultural regeneration and national development. Most importantly, the film reveals the beauty of East Timorese culture and details the creative processes of traditional Tais weaving. It also demonstrates the positive role played by Australian community groups in women's empowerment and the fight against poverty. The film is produced by East Timor Women Australia, an Australian group that has organized Fernanda Borges’ visit.