Thursday, 11 September 2025

Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (09:48): I rise to inform the house that a group of Bendigo volunteers has been given the highest possible honour from East Timor in recognition of almost two decades of friendship and work. The Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee was recently awarded the Order of Timor-Leste medal. The medal recognises the strong partnership that the Bendigo committee has with the people of Maubisse, a town of around 6000 people located 70 kilometres from Dili. In a statement East Timor President Ramos-Horta said the award symbolised the nation’s profound appreciation for those who have walked alongside Timor-Leste in times of struggle and progress.

The committee was set up in 2006 at the suggestion of the then First Lady of East Timor Kirsty Sword Gusmao. Kirsty grew up in Bendigo and attended Eaglehawk Primary School and Golden Square Secondary College. Since 2006 the committee has delivered a range of projects that have had profound impacts on the Maubisse community. These have included school and university scholarships, nurse training, reproductive health programs, medical and dental equipment, small business support and infrastructure upgrades as well as a special program providing hand-knitted baby clothes for distribution to new mothers. The committee has provided scholarships to almost 1000 students. Some students who started in the program have now graduated from university and returned to Maubisse as teachers and doctors. I understand many strong friendships and connections have also been forged through the years. I congratulate the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee for their years of work and their medal.