Indigo Shire / Atauro Island Friendship Group

Indigo Shire / Atauro Island Friendship Group
Media Release

Indigo Shire is in the process of forming a Friendship Relationship with Atauro Island, just off the north coast of East Timor. We are establishing a Friendship Group in the Shire and invite you to attend our Information Day at The Old Priory on December 8th.

To assist our find raising efforts, entry for adults is by gold coin donation, children are free.

From 11.00am until 5pm there will be information stands in the grounds of the Old Priory representing H.I.A.M Health; the Australian East Timor Association (Melb); Great Divide Coffee Roasting (Fair Trade Coffee tastings); the unique eco-tourism development on Atauro Island and established Local Government Friendship Groups.

At 12.00 Gabrielle Samson will speak to a slide presentation about life on Atauro Island. A Community development worker, Gabrielle has worked on Atauro Island for more than 10 years. She originally went to the island to start a kindergarten and then began working with the high school. She has also helped the community start their own development organisation.

At 12.30 There is a singing workshop where we will learn the tune “Mai Mai O Nia Rain” a simple song in Tetum that we can sing together at the evening concert.

1.30 – 3.00 Workshop “What is a Friendship Group?” The aim of this workshop is to provide information to our community about the work and workings of other local government friendship groups and we are looking for ideas from within our own community on how we can support our friendship community, Atauro Island.

Guest speakers will include Gabrielle Samson, community development worker on Atauro Island for more than ten years; Dr.Wendy Connor who works on Atauro Island as a volunteer doctor and representatives from established local government friendship groups.

At 3.30 we are showing the very moving film, “A Hero’s Journey.” Entry is $5 Adults and children are free.

For more information about the day’s program, contact conthw@westnet.com.au.


The information day will be followed by a great concert in the evening featuring Bhan Tre, Braemar and Red Rock. These performers and the sound technician, Darren Christie, are all donating their time and Pam & Graeme at the Old Priory are donating their lovely venue.

The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are $25 adults and $10 children. For more information and bookings, call (03) 5728 2275 or 0428 286 556. All proceeds from the concert will go to H.I.A.M Health. The concert is “café-style” with only 100 tickets available. The three bands have a great following in the North East and we suggest you book your tickets early