Insight into East Timor

A FORMER First Lady of East Timor will be a special guest at The Rotary Club of Berwick’s annual Charity Dinner later this month.
Kirsty Sword Gusmao has accepted an invitation to visit Berwick and be the keynote speaker at the group’s major function on Friday, 30 November.
Born in Melbourne in 1966, Ms Gusmao has an amazing story to tell of how she came to meet and marry Xanana Gusmao. Mr Gusmao is now the Prime Minister of East Timor after previously being the country’s president.
She graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in Indonesian and Italian while also gaining a Diploma of Education.
Ms Gusmao established in 2002 the Alola Foundation to address the needs of East Timorese women and their families, who had been badly treated by the years of occupation and civil unrest.
The Alola Foundation programs have been expanded over recent years and cover education, health and domestic violence issues. The major beneficiary to the Rotary Club of Berwick Charity-Business Dinner is the Alola Foundation. Other beneficiaries include local Windermere Kids in Crisis Agency.
The public can apply for tickets from the Rotary Club of Berwick. Events details are Friday, 30 November at 6.45pm for 7.15pm at Akoonah Park Centre, Berwick.
Tickets are $95 per person and include a three-course meal and drinks. For tickets and more information contact David Grant on 9707 4094 or Geoff Rankin on 9769 4459.