Hard at work: Spr Andrew Rainbow helps to transform a rundown building into a a new community centre in the eastern districts of Timor-Leste. Photos by LS Kade Rogers
Good fun: Sprs James Harris and Geoff Burchell, 3CER, share the delight of children who are enjoying the new play equipment at the Vulnerable Persons’ Unit.
THE screech of an electric saw and the striking of hammers roused the sleepy township of Los Parlos as engineers from 3CER transformed a neglected army barracks into a vibrant community centre.
The sappers were working on one of many reconstruction projects around Timor-Leste to help rebuild rundown structures to be used by the local community. They worked with members of the Los Parlos community while teaching them basic construction skills to refurbish the unused building.
Spr Tim Ward said the project would benefit the whole community.
“It gets the locals involved as well as the Timorese Police and Timorese Army. They come around to see what is happening and we get them on the tools. We have showed them drop-saws and got them measuring and cutting,” Spr Ward said.
“We did this to build up a bit of goodwill in the area. We tried to show people within the community that we aren’t bad blokes.”
One of the challenges the team faced was using limited materials for each job. Cpl David Squires, who led the team, said it took about two to three weeks for the supplies to arrive from Darwin, but the boys did a good job and made do with what they had.
“We got together as a section in February and for a lot of the blokes this is their first time in Timor-Leste and their first time out bush,” Cpl Squires said.
“Our training was geared more toward building mine fields and bridges. Restoring the building was a good opportunity for the boys and we have a few tradesmen here among us and they have taught us a lot.”
Meanwhile, a ceremony was held in Dili to thank the 3CER engineers for constructing equipment for a children’s playground at the Timorese Police’s Vulnerable Persons’ Unit.
Sgt Matthew Hill said the UN Police approached the International Stabilisation Force to help repair a fence at the centre.
“When we found out it was for the kids the guys came in and built a seesaw, monkey bars, swings and a cubby house.
They also built some tables and furniture as well,” Sgt Hill said.
The project took three days, with 11 members from 3CER involved in the construction.
UN Police Snr Sgt Jacqui Parish said the Army’s contribution was very much appreciated.
“The guys were really good. They just went out of their way to help us to build the equipment and put it out the front,” Snr Sgt Parish said. “It gives kids and people who have been traumatised a different environment when they come to this station.”
