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 | October 2009
| Trust signs major Cooperative Agreement with USAID
| Fifteen month's work for the Trust has paid off!
The effort had resulted in USAID offering the Trust a Cooperative Agreement to develop a Domestic Dairy Initiative. Local buffalo will be utilised to develop the industry.
| This three year initiative aims to add additional income to many rural families, with the potential for many thousands to benefit.
Rural families owning buffalo will be encouraged to join the this industry development initiative. Training will be provided to assist them to manage their buffalo and the milking process.
Development of supply chain processes by groups of local farmers will be encouraged and training given to assist this.
Development of a commercial basis for daily milk purchases, processing and sale will be encouraged and training given to assist this.
| Click here to download an Information Sheet (Size 440kb - requires Adobe Reader)
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| July 2009
| ETDA students benefit from Trust support
| The second program of support under the Trust's Vocational Training Assistance Grants program (Project 011) has finished with excellent results.
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| May 2009
| Steve Bracks completes work with the Trust
| Former Premier of Victoria, Mr Steve Bracks, has completed his work with the Trust and good governance in Timor-Leste has had a major boost.
His work as an adviser to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (Patron of the Trust) was made possible by a generous specific purpose donation to the Trust by Harold Mitchell who is an Honorary Governor of the Trust.
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| February 2009
| A New Year of Hope
| A visit to Timor-Leste in February 2009 shows great potential...particularly for the Trust's work.
Progress is evident everywhere. Activity has increased on Dili streets and numbers of cars are multiplying! The paving program ... a short-term program of work for unemployed ... is making a big difference. And restoration of the Government Palacio area and harbour surrounds is well advanced.
Following a submission of a Concept Plan to USAID late in 2008, the Trust was invited by USAID to make a full submission for a grant of up to US$500,000 for development of a domestic dairy industry based on using indigenous buffalos.
In February 2009 Trust CEO Chris Trueman and County Manager Helder Encarnacao invited Ewan Haldane from Shaw River Buffalo Dairy in Victoria and Bjorn Wille of TetraPak's Food for Development program to join them in Dili to make plans for the buffalo based dairy inititative.
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Meetings were held with local veterinary experts and Government Ministers, and a field trip was made to rural areas.
Ewan Haldane, together with his father Roger Haldane - the principal of Shaw River Buffalo Dairy - had previously spent a week in Timor-Leste in July 2008 making a preliminary assessment of the feasability of a buffalo based dairy industry being developed. This lead to the concept plan being submitted to USAID later in the year.
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| June 2008
| Good news from East Timor!
| The government of Xanana Gusmao is nearly a year old now...in fact in a couple of days its the anniversary of the elections leading to him forming a government a month or two later. Despite the difficulties of building a brand new government from scratch, an assassination attempt on President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, the difficulties with the rebel army people, the problem of scaling down IDP camps (internally displaced persons), and the difficulties of building infrastructure, a great start has been made by the new government. It has been very helpful too that we have a new Australian Government with a different approach to assisting Timor-Leste.
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| June 2008
| The Trust in Action
| The Trust has been very active over the last year continuing its programs of previous years. Programs of support for institutions started in 2006 have continued. Students have successfully finished courses funded by the Trust in Basis Office Skills at ETDA with an exceptional employment rate achieved - one we'd be proud of in Australia. Automotive students have graduated from DIT and at Don Bosco Fuiloro students have graduated with a good practical training in horticulture and agriculture. Thanks to Trust supporters and the special donations, DIT has been saved and is now on the pathway to being one of the very few accredited tertiary institutions in Timor-Leste.
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| May 2008
| Coordination is the key
| The Xanana Trust's mantra has, since the start, been to advocate coordination and cooperation by all involved in developing new skills and work opportunities in Timor-Leste. We believed that it would be possible to build a united "Australian" effort to assist - bringing Governments, institutions, other NGO's and private citizens together to offer a united effort to the Timorese. We still believe that...and not without reason. The Trust has been a strong supporter of AusAID's renewed efforts to assist in the area of TVET in Timor-Leste. And quite soon we are hoping to cement that relationship further. The Trust is working with a major Victorian TAFE to scope out a very significant potential project which potentially will involve all TAFE's in Victoria with Victorian Government support. NSW has shown interest in possibly adding their support too. SA has already made a strong VET commitment - and is in regular communication with the Trust.
The signs are there that a national and coordinated "Australian" effort is indeed achievable.
|  It certainly helps that the Parliamentary Secretary for AusAID, Bob McMullan, is vitally interested in Timor-Leste. He met with the Trust in Australia in February 2008. And during his visit to Timor-Leste in May 2008 when he met Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, he also had discussions with Trust CEO Chris Trueman.
I'm sure Bob is watching the Australian effort in Timor-Leste - including theTrust's work - with great interest.
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| May 2008
| People need jobs - jobs need skills
| To really put skill development into context, the Trust is working to encourage job development in some specific sectors. This will lead to a demand for skills which, if the interaction is coordinated well, can be developed in tandem with the job development process. Its a little premature to give more information except to say we are targeting rural agriculture possibly combined with urban marketing, and education with an emphasis on jobs for women. Keep tuned for these developments and others too.
In the same vein, even senior members of the Government and their departments can benefit from appropriate advice. Steve Bracks' work with Prime Minister Xanana is only one example. The Trust has also facilitated advice being made available to other Ministers by securing the volunteer services of some of leading industry people in Australia to visit Timor-Leste on short term studies.
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| May 2008
| Steve Bracks helps Xanana
|  Former Premier of Victoria Hon.Steve Bracks has provided invaluable support to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. What is not known well is that Steve's work is a Xanana Trust program - Project 008!
Whilst Steve himself is volunteering his time, support for him is provided by the Trust as a result of a generous specific purpose donation to the Trust by Harold Mitchell who is an Honorary Governor of the Trust.
Steve's work with the Prime Minister has led to the acceptance by the TL Government of the need for a Civil Service Commission, an Auditor General function, and an Anti Corruption function.
Some enabling legislation has been passed. At a big "launch" in May plans were made public by the Prime Minister. Now progress is well underway towards final establishment.
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| Jan 2008
|  New Trust Office...New Country Manager
In order to "be ahead of the pace" with the new potential for achieving change, the Trust established an office in Dili at the end of last year to accommodate the Trust's newly appointed Country Manager. Helder Encarnacao, a native born Timorese with an international education and view, is the new face of the Xanana Trust in Timor-Leste. Helder has great experience in TVET in Timor-Leste since 2000, speaks English, Tetum and Portuguese (plus a few more), and has an enviable CV detailing his work in Perth during the 1990's as a very practical supervisor and manger.
|  The Trust office is ideally located near the Post Office in the Central Hotel office suites. AVI, and the Australian Enterprise Challenge Fund also have offices there, as well as Megatours Travel and the Timor Guide Post. As a result of the Trust taking an office there, AusAID joined with the Trust in shared accommodation, and have now taken a big additional area.
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| Aug 2007
| Wine... and more. A fun day out.
| A visit to Rose Creek Estate on Sunday 26th August delighted all who attended.
Rose Creek Estate is located at 2 Craig St East Keilor.
|  The winery was open for tastings and sales as part of the Sunbury “Sip-n-Sup” 2007 Wine Festival. Rose Creek Estate has won Gold, Silver and Bronze at Eltham and Daylesford. From one who has consumed quite a bit of wine…their wines are good. And the tastings this time confirmed that!
Surprisingly, the winery is in mid-suburban East Keilor with 3000 vines totally under netting. Olive trees surround the vines, and as may be expected from owners with a name like Siciliano, their locally pressed olive oil (also for tasting and sale) is superb. A Silver medal at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney is proof.
Apart from the vineyard and winery, the property is a little piece of Italy nestled in the suburbs, with a self sufficient vegetable garden and orchard, chooks galore, a garden to envy…and a friendly Italian cellar-door and cafe atmosphere. And to top it off... one of Australia's best known folk singers, Danny Spooner dropped in for the day to help Daylesford musician Maurie with some magical music.
Entry was free – but purchase of a raffle ticket to support the Trust was suggested. Everyone agreed and the Trust ended up benefitting by approx $610. The prize was, naturally enough, wine and olive oil (to the value of $100), generously donated by the Sicilianos.
Perhaps just as importantly, hundreds of visitors to Rose Creek took away a Trust Newsletter and learnt a about our important work...and the Trust volunteers there had a fabulous day out too!
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| June 2007
| Fundraising Function in Sydney a Major Success
| The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove's MGSM Business Breakfast on the theme "Leadership as an Opportunity" on 7 June 2007 was an outstanding success.
His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, President of Timor-Leste sent a Message of Support, and Trust Patron His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao made a DVD presentation. Outstanding addresses were given by Sir William Deane and General Peter Cosgrove, former Chief of the Defence Force. Major General Mike Smith introduced the speakers, and Professor Roy Green Dean, Macquarie Graduate School of Business Management - the Event Sponsors - led a question session.
|  | Professor Roy Green, Sir William Deane, General Peter Cosgove and Chris Trueman during question time.
| The event raised $20,000 for the Trust.
| A brilliant job from the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove.
Trust Executive Director Chris Trueman and Timor Leste Consul General Abel Guterres attended the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove in August to receive a cheque from Past President Fiona Lavan. Mr Guterres thanked the Club for its support for the Trust's work in Timor-Leste to build a vocational education system leading to jobs for the people.
| See picture on the right.
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|  The Xanana Trust was delighted to be able to work with the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove. We were pleased to be able to present the work of the Trust to the Sydney Business Community through the wonderful talents of outstanding Leaders who are closely associated with Timor-Leste.
Those who attended this unique Business Breakfast were part of a truly memorable event. And they provided support for the vital work of the Xanana Vocational Education Trust.
The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove is a vibrant Rotary Club with a reputation for running outstandingly successful high profile events such as the annual Rotary Charity Regatta (Click for details)on Sydney Harbour hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
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| Oct 2006
| A Message from our Patron
| Dear Trust Supporters,
I am sure you have been deeply disturbed at the recent events in East Timor. I certainly have. But the patient and courageous leadership being shown by President Xanana Gusmão provides a cause for inspiration and hope. The special relationship which developed between Australia and East Timor during the Second World War was rekindled after 1999 when we as a nation, were able to repay some of our debt of honour to the East Timorese. I am thankful that our mutual friendship has enabled them to call for our help, and for us to respond quickly and professionally.
The recent sad events demonstrate very clearly the great need for the work of the Trust to proceed with increased vigour as soon as conditions in East Timor permit. There is now an even greater need for the youth to develop skills that can lead to jobs, to have hope for the future, rather than resentment and hatred. Indeed, recent events have served to underline the Trust’s fundamental message that vocational education is the key.
By supporting the work of the Trust, you can make a difference.
Sir William Deane
Patron.
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| Jul 2006
| problems in East Timor
| Difficulties in East Timor. particularly relating to the dismissing of just on 600 members of the F-FDTL (Defence Force), and the subsequent unrest has lead to gunfighting between army factions, and civil violence. This is an extremely sad and disappointing sequence of events which will interrupt, and set back seriously, the great progress which has been made since 1999.
Hopefully, intervention by the Australian Defence force, at the request of the Government of East Timor, will quickly restore civil order and security.
The Trust will obviously review its operations in the light of the current problems. However it remains committed to its aims of assisting the people of East Timor to develop and grow through skill development leading to enhanced economic opportunities for all East Timorese.
Supporters of the Trust may wish to read some commentary from the recent past leading up to the current problems, together with fresh commentary from various sources. Views expressed in the commentary are not necessarily those of the Trust.
| - The United Nations Office In Timor Leste (UNOTIL) has been providing a regular Media Monitoring service every two or three days. Reports going back to the start of 2006 are available online. Reports relating to problems in F-FDTL are first given prominence on 9 February 2006.
| . (To read these reports, refer to the UNOTIL website by clicking here)
| - Press Release: Prime Minister Alkatiri – 26 May 2006 (Word document for download)
| | | | | . (Click here to read in a new window)
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| Australian honours for VET Development Group member.
|  Ian Predl, a member of the Trust's VET Development Group, was recognised for his lifetime of outstanding contribution to vocational education development in Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2006. Ian was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
The Trust is delighted that Ian's significant achievements have been recognised in this way. Ian's contribution to the development of the Trust's VET Strategic Framework has been extremely valuable.
| Read Ian's profile
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| May 2006
| appointment of Honorary Governors
| At the invitation of the Trust's Patrons, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and The Honourable Sir William Deane AC KBE, ten prominent Australians have accepted a role as Honorary Governors of the Trust.
We are delighted to welcome:
| - Mr AHR(Royce) Abbey AO DCM
| | | | | | | | | - Hon. Justice Frank Vincent QC
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| The Honorary Governors collectively form the Patrons' Council of Governors under the Chairmanship of the two Patrons.
The Honorary Governors bring wide experience and insight to the Trust and will help the Trust to build an enhanced public profile. In addition they will add to the already strong governance of the Trust's Board by providing an additional oversight.
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| Jan 2006
| vocational training in action
| The Trust has started its work in East Timor!
| | Funding has been allocated to four pilot projects: | - new automotive training at DIT
| - additional office skills training at ETDA
| - enhanced hospitality training at EHT Becora
| - much needed agricultural training at Don Bosco - Fuiloro
| Most of these courses are due to commence in Janauary/Febraury 2006.
| The Board Chairman, Mr Geoff Donnelly and Chief Executive & Director, Mr Chris Trueman are visiting East Timor in January to finalise the Trust's support for these projects and have discussions with the Trust's Patron, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and vocational sector leaders.
| The Trust's VET Development Group are visiting East Timor at the same time:
| - Professor David Beanland AO (Ex Vice Chancellor of RMIT)
| - Mr Ian Predl (Ex Chairman of the Victorian TAFE Board)
| - Mr Luke McNamara (NSW TAFE consultant for AusAID who helped the East Timorese develop their VET legislation)
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| The VET Development Group will be consulting with government and institutional VET sector leaders to help the Trust develop cooperatively with the East Timorese, a long term strategy for the Trusts's work there.
The Trust wishes to ensure that funds are applied equitably, sensibly and totally in-line with East Timorese national and educational sector objectives.
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| Dec 2005
| a gift twice given
|  Its wonderful when a gift can truly achieve its purpose of letting the recipient know you want them to receive much happiness from having received it. Many friends of Kevin Andrews recently celebrated a 'significant' birthday together with him and chose to donate to the Trust's "Sponsor a Student for a Semester" program as their gift to him. Kevin had suggested that he did not want any personal gifts and that he would get much pleasure out of his friends supporting this program.
The idea worked wonderfully.
Kevin is delighted that thousands of dollars were donated to the Trust enabling many students in East Timor to gain a vocational education.
Truly a gift twice given... and an idea worth remembering.
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| Oct 2005
| spam emails
| If you have received undesired spam or virus infected emails from an address purporting to be xananatrust.org, please be assured that the sending address has been forged.
The Xanana Vocational Education Trust employs the latest software to ensure its systems are secure and virus free. We encourage all email users to be responsible and to regularly update virus protection software.
No spam emails have been sent from a Trust computer.
We sympathise with you if you have been the recipient of spam - the Trust is now unfortunately receiving virus infected spam itself.
Unfortunately it is totally outside our control to stop this spam.
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| Jul 2005
| trust gains DGR status
| The Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer Mal Brough has advised that the Government has agreed to amend the tax laws to list the Trust as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) organisation with effect from 12 July 2005. Enabling legislation is yet to be passed.
This is a most important step in the formation of the Trust. It amounts to Federal Government acknowledgement that the Trust is an organisation which the h ope and believe can deliver substantial support for the people of Timor-Leste.
Tax deductibility of contributions to the Trust is a very important means of Government support which will assist the Trust greatly.
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| Jul 2005
| president launches Trust
|  Mr Steve Bracks, Premier of Victoria hosted a beautifully presented dinner at which the Trust Patrons, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, and Sir William Deane officially launched the Trust on Monday 11 July, 2005.
There was a distinct East Timorese flavour to the event with Melbourne based East Timorese, Florentino and Rita Casimiro in full traditional dress, welcoming guests. They presented specially woven "Xanana Vocational Education Trust" tais to the Premier, the President and Sir William.
As a surprise for the President and guests, Antonio de Padua Martins Soares, gave a brilliant piano recital. Antonio completed 7th Grade music with honours at the International Conservatorium in Sydney last year and is currently doing 8th Grade.
| A generous guest offered to buy the piano Antonio played, for use in Timor-Leste when he returns to set up a music school.
Starting with an announcement by Victorian Education Minister Lynne Kosky that the Victorian Government would fund a large number of scholarships through the Trust for the next five years, many other guests generously made offers too.
The Trust was launched in fine style!
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| Jul 2005
| first major fundraising
| The Rotary Club of Southbank hosted a fabulous Business Breakfast Tuesday 12 July 2005, at Sofitel Melbourne.
Around 640 business leaders filled the Grand Ballroom to hear two great leaders of out time speak on the theme of "Leadership as an Opportunity". His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, and Sir William Deane - Patrons of the Trust gave inspirational talks. Kevin Bailey, Honorary Consul General for Timor-Leste in Melbourne presented the speakers, and Greg Ross was compere.
The event was made possible with major sponsorship from Archer Consulting Group and The Age, and with support from many generous prize donors and table sponsors. Members of the Rotary Club of Southbank handled all aspects of the Breakfast, and ensured the event was professional and enjoyable.
An auction conducted courtesy of Rodney Morley from TBM Real Estate and a raffle ensured that the first major fund raising event for the Trust was a great success.
|  | Rotary Club of Southbank Business Breakfast, 12 July 2005
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| |  | His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao
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