Image Gallery 2007
07 September 2007
Diggers give the gift of hope to children in Timor-Leste
Australian soldiers from the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Timor-Leste have brought some cheer to a local orphanage.
The soldiers passed on toys, school books, pens, clothing, bicycles and furniture that had been donated by their families in Townsville, with the excited children quickly unwrapping their gifts.
Major Michael Dawson, a United Nations liaison officer with ISF, said the idea to collect toys and other goods for the children in the orphanage came about during a charity cricket game.
“When we looked for a charity to support, we thought about the various aspects of life in Timor that could improve,” Major Dawson said.
“We decided that the best way forward was to go with education for children, because education is the future of Timor-Leste. We decided on the Mary McKillop Institute, which is a Catholic Church foundation, and they work entirely on donations.
“They support orphans and families who adopt orphans, and they also support schools right across Timor,” Major Dawson said.
The soldiers also raised $6000, which has helped to build a toilet block at a remote school that had been built by Australian engineers in 1999.
“The true success is that the Mary McKillop institute has already sponsored kids through university in Dili and they are ready to sponsor many more,” Major Dawson said.
When we first announced this initiative, the children told the sisters that it was like Christmas for the second time. The kids know that this assistance is their future.”
Operation ASTUTE is the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in restoring peace to their country.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has deployed to Timor-Leste with a mission to assist the Government and the United Nations to bring stability, security and confidence to the Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.
There are approximately 850 ADF personnel currently serving in Timor-Leste. This force will remain in Timor-Leste continuing to provide a robust response capability to support the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations Police force.
| 20070825adf8099240_051 Major Mick Dawson watches local Timorese children enjoying gifts donated to the Mary McKillop Orphanage in Dili by the community of Townsville, Queensland. (Date taken: 29 August 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070825adf8099240_073 Gunner Steven Connor watches as a local Timorese girl plays a piano donated to the Mary McKillop Orphanage in Dili by the community of Townsville, Queensland. (Date taken: 29 August 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070829adf8099240_014 Corporal Steve Guiliani helps local Timorese children open gifts donated to the Mary McKillop Orphanage in Dili by the Seaford Kindergarten in Seaford, Victoria. (Date taken: 29 August 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070829adf8099240_030 Corporal Steve Guiliani helps local Timorese children open gifts donated to the Mary McKillop Orphanage in Dili by the Seaford Kindergarten in Seaford, Victoria. (Date taken: 29 August 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070829adf8099240_040 Corporal Steve Guiliani helps local Timorese children open gifts donated to the Mary McKillop Orphanage in Dili by the Seaford Kindergarten in Seaford, Victoria. (Date taken: 29 August 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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