When Deputy Mayor Tracey Carpenter and her three children visit Laclubar in East Timor next month they will take with them tangible symbols of the generosity of the people of Bathurst.
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Cr Carpenter will be delivering around 40 scholarships, basketballs, soccer balls and tree tags to the remote town in the mountainous heart of East Timor on behalf of local group Friends of Laclubar.
The focus of the group is on education and sustainable agriculture, to alleviate poverty for the people of Laclubar.
Cr Carpenter said the association is very thankful for the support from the Bathurst community and the growing relationship between the two communities. She said she is particularly grateful for contributions made this year by Skillset, Saint Stanislaus College, Kelso High School, In Style Living, Fish River Roasters and the many people who have sponsored a child in Laclubar or made a donation.
“Father Domingos Gusamo, principal of the Senior High School in Laclubar, recently visited Bathurst to build on the friendship link,” Cr Carpenter said.
“He was welcomed at a number of schools in the region and spoke about the history of Australia’s links with this tiny neighbouring country.”
Following Fr Domingos’ visit local resident Peter Morris donated 10 basketballs and 10 soccer balls to the school.
Cr Carpenter said Skillset has also established a tree planting project in Laclubar, which is building a sustainable, economic venture for farmers through carbon offsetting.
“The project is part of the Flannery Centre initiative,” she said. “Friends of Laclubar are delivering some of the 60,000 tree tags needed to assist in monitoring trees planted in Easy Timor.”
Cr Carpenter said the President of Timor-Leste, Dr Jose Ramos Horta sent his thanks for the work carried out in Laclubar by the local group.
“I think this is one of the most significant projects I have seen: in terms of the amount of money allocated and the speed with which it was done,” President Ramos Horta said .
“So I am very very grateful on behalf of the people of Laclubar, one of the most neglected places on earth.”
For more information on how local people can help to support the project go to www.friendsoflaclubar.com phone Cr Tracey Carpenter on 0408 228 946.