By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
“THERE was so much need, everywhere.”
This is how outgoing Friends of Ermera President Jan Trezise described what she saw during her first visit to the East Timorese Ermera district in 2002.
Her summation was recounted last Thursday night, as the 72-year-old formally stepped down from her role as president at the group’s 12th annual general meeting, attended by councillors Mick Morland, Amanda Stapledon and Mayor Geoff Ablett.
“The impact of this first visit will stay with me forever. Traumatised people, destroyed buildings, no infrastructure, and the enormity of the many challenges ahead,” she told those at the meeting.
“A significant realisation for me personally was the total lack of opportunities the East Timorese had had during the colonisation by the Portuguese and the occupation of the Indonesians and the ongoing impact this would have on the development of Timor Leste.”
During the meeting Jan reflected on the beginnings of the Friends of Ermera, started in 2002 by a group of like-minded people drawn together to assist those in need in the Timorese district.
In August of the same year, Jan and friend Joyce Rebeiro travelled to Ermera and soon discovered the scope of the challenge ahead.
“Over several years Joyce had worked closely with the many Timorese refugees who had come to Melbourne since 1975. She was known and highly regarded in the Melbourne-based East Timorese community,” Jan said.
“By 2002 many of those who had taken refuge in Australia had returned to rebuild their newly independent nation. Joyce was in touch with these newly appointed leaders of their people who generously gave us their time, their advice, use of their homes and a vehicle.”
In the early days the Friends of Emera were constantly faced with challenges, Jan said.
The language barrier, the inability to transfer money to the district and communication between Ermera and Australia were just some of the problems the group faced.
But Jan said projects such as the Letefoho Water project and the English Language Study Centre program made the difficulties worth it.
“The Letefoho Water project was blazing a trail as the largest, multi-village, community-based water supply project,” she said.
“However we didn’t know this when we responded to the Letefoho community request for an effective water supply.
“We worked closely with National and District water authorities and our commitment and fund-raising capacity were sorely tested.
“However it is pleasing to report it was it has been an effective partnership with the national and district water authorities and the local community.”
Jan will now become the Friends of Ermera vice-president, while no-one has yet agreed to take over the vacant president’s position.
“Friends of Ermera, along with the other friendship groups and international organisation, will continue to have a meaningful role in Timor Leste,” Jan said.
“This new nation and its institutions have come a long way since independence but there are many challenges ahead.
“We need to be with them as they continue along their journey. “
