Good afternoon Rotarians & Guests present today and online for such a special Award in our calendar year.
When reading the distinguished service of our Awardee , Andrew Maher AM including his extraordinary work in Timor – Leste I was prompted to reflect on my Presidential year in 2000-2001 and our initial involvement supporting the people of East Timor.
We were approached by the Rotary Club of Doncaster in July 2000 to partner with them and assist in raising funds for a Roofing Machine Project following the destruction of over 75% of the homes and buildings in East Timor by the Indonesians.
Our Club rallied and 12 Members formed the East Timor Sub-Committee and subsequently partnering with the Rotary Club of Albert Park and other Clubs in our Cluster we raised $25,000 at a Gala Breakfast with nearly 1000 people in attendance including Major General Sir Peter Cosgrove who had been responsible for overseeing East Timor’s transition to independence.
This was the start of an amazing success story with the formation of the East Timor Roofing Project and after 18 years the transfer of ownership to the Dom Bosco Order of Salesians in Bacau which is now a highly successful business.
The ongoing commitment of Members including Peter Manger , Neville Barwick , Bob Glindemann , Phil Endersbee , Richard Fowler and Jeremy Oats has been truly outstanding.
We also initiated other highly successful projects including building the East Timor Embassy in Canberra and the Donations in Kind Store championed by Bob Glindemann.
Rotary can be proud of its ongoing commitment to International Projects and Programs.
Thank you Peter Dakin
Thank you to Peter Dakin for last week's reflection on Wednesday 15 October 25.
