Monthly Archives: February 2026

Friends of Venilale e-Newsletter October 2026

2025 saw a jam-packed second half of the year. Fundraising has been in full swing with some amazing events held - fabulous Hamoris Lian Timor concert, popular annual Ridgeline Walk, the November Bush Market, The Steiner School Spring Fair and a visually stunning Open Garden at Claire and John Owen's. It was a particularly memorable year as we celebrated the 20 year anniversary of our friendship relationship and were honoured to be awarded an Order of Timor-Leste medal and certificate of recognition from the Timor-Leste President, Jose Ramos-Horta. In July a group of FoV members visited Venilale after attending a two day conference in Dili. Regular visitors Lynn Elder and David and Anne Foster were joined by Trish McKenzie who was visiting for the first time. In Venilale, the Peace Corps volunteers ended their posting, Mestri Pedro finished his time as Education Support Officer and there was significant progress made at the Venilale schools.…

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Friends of Venilale e-Newsletter October 2025

There is so much news this year that a special mid-year edition was needed. Breaking news is congratulations to Joni, our Friendship Liaison Officer, and his wife, Maria, on their recent marriage. The high school scholarship students have been chosen and there are some new University recipients because others have finished their courses. Boss has arrived in Australia and with generous support from Judy Doubas, he has settled into his studies in Melbourne. Fundraising activities have been fun and successful, the product of tireless volunteers. Savio has been joined by Aderito and Orlando as our East Timorese seasonal workers. Julie Aldous has continued to meet with the partnership schools updating them with the conditions in Venilale. And finally, our intrepid Ann Eldred accompanied by first time visitor, Karen Lewis, has returned from another wonderful visit to Timor-Leste.…

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Friends of Venilale e-Newsletter December 2022

Finally Venilale was able to welcome visitors from Mansfield this year. Ann Eldred with Judith Anne, Honey and Jess were greeted with huge enthusiasm and love. Michelle Harmer was able to celebrate meeting up with old friends as well as represent FoV at a vital community meeting where Boss presented the plans for the proposed Visitors’ Centre. Fundraising activities had to be cancelled due to the incessant rain but our committee was not idle. They continued to support seasonal workers and Joni supplied lots of photos which kept us up to date on improvements to roads and facilities in Venilale. The three friendship groups in the Indi electorate gathered in Wangaratta to share achievements and ideas for the future. We also offer our warm congratulations to Boss and Iza on the birth of their baby boy, Valenzo.…

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Friends of Venilale e-Newsletter November 2021

Still no trips to Venilale this year but lots going on. A special welcome was extended to Venilale’s new Administrator, Senyor Miguel Guterres Mendes. Venilale also saw the hand over of the position of Chief of Venilale Medical Centre to Amandio Ximenes Guterres. The Ridgeline Walk involving only Timbertop students was a great success and enabled our scholarship programme to continue. We continued to meet Seasonal Workers and Timorese students from Melbourne. Joni supplied lots of photos which kept us up to date on improvements to roads and the destruction caused by intense wet weather. Nothing could stop the vigorous FoV committee so the celebration of our 15th anniversary was finally celebrated in style despite being a year late. The three friendship groups in the Indi electorate were featured in the North East Living magazine. We also offer our warm congratulations to Boss and Isabel on their engagement and thank Boss for sharing with us cultural dowry practices.…

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Friends of Venilale e-Newsletter November 2020

No trips to Venilale this year but still lots going on. The Ridgeline Walk in 2019 was a great success and enabled our scholarship programme to continue. We were lucky to meet up with five Seasonal Workers from Timor-Leste who visited our Queen’s Birthday bush market stall and Vintage Traders Trash and Treasure event. We received photos from Joni describing what was happening in Venilale and improvements to roads that we will certainly appreciate when next visiting. Nothing could stop the vigorous FoV committee so despite physical restrictions they all learnt how to use Zoom and this meant that Joni and Boss could often ‘attend’ meetings also.…

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