The Canberra Friends of Dili (CFD) and the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation (ACT) recently hosted a fundraising dinner that raised over $11,000 to support their work in Timor Leste.
Representing the Chief Minister and welcoming the new Ambassador Hernani Coelho da Silva, Mary said, "Australians still recall the sacrifices made by many East Timorese protecting Australian servicemen during World War Two and Canberrans will continue to work to strengthen the ties between our two countries."
"Canberra has a close association with Timor Leste and Jon Stanhope signed the Canberra Dili Friendship Agreement in Dili on June 7 2004 with the goals being to strengthen educational, cultural, economic and sporting links," Mary added.
The funds raised will be used by the CFD to support the partnership between the Canberra CIT and the Dili Institute of Technology to provide course materials, training for lecturers and equipment.
The Ryder Cheshire Foundation will use their proceeds to support Klibur Domin, a medical facility near Dili, which cares for patients awaiting or recovering from surgery as well as treating those suffering from diseases such as TB.
"Timor Leste is one of the poorest nations in the world," Mary said. "As our closest neighbour we have a moral obligation to assist them where ever we can and I urge
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