From Timor-Leste to Australia, Seven Families

Duty roster for the 26^th September is as follows

Chairman                                           Rosemary Hughes

Fellowship                                          Laury Gordyn

                                                             Bruce Shaw

Attendance                                        Gary Castricum

                                                             Betty Tudge

Jan Trezise, Editor, From Timor-Leste to Australia, Seven Families, Three Generations, Tell Their Stories

“From Timor-Leste to Australia, Seven Families, Three Generations, Tell Their Stories”. This book was launched at Bunjil Place, City of Casey on Sunday 24 June.

It tells the stories of seven families who fled from East Timor in 1974/5 and have since settled in the City of Casey. The stories are woven into the history of East Timor, a county that was colonised by Portugal for four hundred years, was invaded by the Japanese during World War Two, was later abandoned by its colonist and suffered civil war before being invaded by its neighbour Indonesia.

About Jan Trezise the Editor of the book.

Jan taught in both primary and secondary schools, was in 1995, the inaugural Principal of Gleneagles Secondary College in Endeavour Hills. In addition, she has been
actively involved in her local community all her adult life. In the 1980s, Jan was an elected Councillor of the City of Springvale and in 1983 became the first female Mayor
of that municipality.

In 2002, Friends of Ermera was formed in the City of Casey to assist the people of East Timor in rebuilding their nation following many years of occupation and
devastation. Jan became the President, a position she held for 15 years. The group has focused on education and training programs for the people of the District. Many
families from East Timor, who initially fled conflict came to Australia and have settled in the City of Casey. Jan has developed close links with many of these families and has
played a key role in interviewing the families for this book.
Teresa Fraga, one of the storytellers will accompany Jan. Teresa was a young girl when her father was killed and her mother with a young baby and seven other children was forced to
flee to the mountains. Teresa will tell a little of her Mum’s story.
Books available to buy at $20 each

Anyone is welcome to attend a Rotary Meeting. Dress is neat casual.