|
|
| SEARCH |
Rotary Club of Dili |
|
The First Club of Timor Leste District 9550 |
|
The Establishment The story of how the Rotary Club of Dili came into being, crosses the whole gamut of Human experiences: - Warfare, International Intrigue, Diplomacy, Human Suffering, but above all Rotary International's definition "of an organization of business and professional leaders united Worldwide who provide humanitarian service". All of the above played a significant part in welcoming Timor Leste (East Timor) into the Rotary Family. A pre-amble to this must include some reference to the Peoples of this Country. At a time when the Bretons of France and Great Briton were raising their stone Monuments to the sky, a another race of Megalithic Stone Builders had made their way down to the Island at the end of an archipelago that we now call Timor. Successive migrations infused the People of this Island with great skills such as Weaving, Forging Metal, Agriculture, as well as maintaining seafaring skills that saw trade with Australian Aboriginals carried out on an annual Basis. Dutch and Portuguese traders arrived in the 16th Century and by 1564 had established settlements and trading posts. This growth in Trade over a period of several hundred years ultimately led to the domination and subjugation of these people. It was from Timor that the Dutch and Portuguese Explorers learned of the great empty land to the South East and from here that they set out to chart it. It was also at Kupang, West Timor that Captain William Bligh made his landfall after completing his epic journey of 3000 km after being set adrift by the crew of the Bounty. The problems of the last few years are a continuation of the pre-colonial proud warrior culture and the domination by Colonial powers over the last 500 Years. Hopefully the Peoples of Timor Leste can now take their place peacefully among the Nations of the World. The catalyst that provided an opportunity to achieve independence arose with the decision by the Indonesian Government to allow a poll to decide if Self-Government was desirable. An overwhelming yes vote was recorded, laying the groundwork for Months of bitter and bloody fighting. Prior to Australian and New Zealand Forces restoring order under Major General Peter Cosgrove, Elements of pro Indonesian sympathizers laid waste to People and Property. This damage was reciprocated when control was restored, resulting in up to 80% of buildings both Administrative and Domestic being totally destroyed. My first endeavor to introduce Rotary into Timor Leste occurred at the International Assembly, Anaheim, California, February 2000. This was conveyed to the then President of RI Carlo Ravizza by our Zone Director. I was told in no uncertain terms not to "touch it with a 10 foot pole" as Rotary had plans for further introduction into Moslem Countries, and they didn't want a mere District Governor upsetting the applecart. Further correspondence from the "South West Service Centre" gave further proof that the issue of Timor Leste, was of an extremely sensitive nature and, that seeing this Country was still within District 3400, Indonesia, it was inappropriate for Rotarians from another District, to be attempting to form a Club in another's Territory. Being someone who believed in doing things rather than be told why they couldn't be done, numerous discussions with the Wibowa Kusamadi District Governor of 3400, Indonesia 2000-2001, resulted in a letter dated 10th July 2000, stating that he approved of my idea to establish a new Rotary Club in Dili, and such Club be assigned to District 9550, Australia. After completion of visits to Rotary Clubs in the Darwin Area, I flew to East Timor accompanied by Three (3) Rotarians from Darwin. On the evening 30th July 2000, I addressed a Meeting of approximately 20 People, comprising Business, Medical, Aid Service Personnel and Interested Local leaders. After explaining the Goals and Ideals of Rotary International, I then proceeded to outline what Rotary could do to help alleviate the suffering that had occurred in Timor Leste and the benefits that would accrue from joining this International Family. The response was favourable and immediate. An interest Rotary Club would be formed with the goal of coordinating incoming aid, with the long-term goal being to provide a Service Club for Timorese run by Timorese. An interesting aside to our trip to Timor Leste was provided by the fact that the Light Plane we flew in, crashed 2 Weeks after killing the sole occupant. No reason has been advanced for this tragic accident, apart from the fact that control was lost at a height of about 10,000 ft. There were some very relieved Rotarians who fully appreciated just how tenuous life could be. Next followed the problem of how to bring this to fruition. The simplest solution would be to enact a change of boundaries, Re-districting being in vogue during this period, but not favoured by RI at the time. What followed was to some extent, a combination of both treating it as an extension into a non Rotary Country and at the same time gaining permission from D3400 to allow a new Club to be created within their District. Over the next nine months there followed numerous discussions and reams of correspondence with my counterpart in Indonesia, Wibowa Kusamadi, RI Director Kenneth Collins, The Board of Rotary International, Secretary of RI Edwin H. Futa, The Rotary Club of Darwin, My Extension Representative, Ray Fauntleroy, The Honourable Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer and the Transitional Administrator of United Nations Transitional Authority East Timor. Arising from all this, We had gained the wholehearted support from D3400 Indonesia, 100% support from all Rotary Clubs in D9550, Australia, a Letter from UNTAET welcoming the establishment of a Rotary Club in Dili, Support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Vigorous support from RI Director Kenneth Collins and events appeared to be going favourably.  Amongst the rules governing the extension of Rotary into new
Countries are several criteria that have to be met prior to approval
being given. First and foremost amongst these are that there has to be a
Democratically Elected Government, secondly Rotary has to be invited in
by the head of such Government.At this stage, I think RI was becoming a bit concerned about developments between D9550 and Timor Leste. Our District Conference at Mission Beach was honoured to have as the personal Representative of R.I President Frank Devlyn, RI Vice President Louis Piconi. Witnessing the total support and approval expressed at Conference for my Actions with regard to the formation of a RC in Dili, Louis Piconi became an ardent supporter and I believe was largely instrumental in forthcoming events.  Initial Approval was
given in the dying stages of 2000-2001 by the Board of Rotary
International to agree to the Chartering of a Rotary Club in Dili, Timor
Leste when all necessary criteria was addressed.Despite being welcomed by the UN Transitional Government, We had to wait until results were posted following General Elections 21st August 2001. This being effected, the UN ceased its administrative role in early 2002. All that remained was for the newly Independent Government to elect a Head and when Xanama Gusmao filled that position, the long awaited invitation went out to Rotary International and it is now history that the Rotary Club of Dili, received its Charter on September 11th 2002 with 32 Members.  Although some 29 Months elapsed between Genesis
and Chartering, I believe that Rotary International are to be
congratulated for the controlled manner in which it was done. I would
like to pay Tribute to RI President Bichai Rattakul for expediting this
approval, To PRIP Clem Renouf for his support, to RI Director Kenneth
Collins and VPRI Louis Piconi all of whom played a significant part in
the Chartering of the RC Dili.Lastly I must pay Tribute to the then Governor of D3400, Wibowa Kusamadi who had the unenviable task of gaining his District's approval to excise Timor Leste from their Territory. To my personal representative on the ground, PP Darwin Club Ray Fauntleroy who worked unstintingly to achieve the Charter and to my two successors PDG Terry Lees and DG Jeffrey Crofts who both took over the baton and carried it to the finishing line with great success, Jeff had the privilege of presenting the Charter on November 30th 2002. The prolonged gestation period was due to the fact that although Timor Leste was an Independent Nation it did so under the auspices of the United Nations, and until it achieved a Government and Recognised leader, the Members of the Interest Club of Dili operated as Rotarians in everything but name. President of Rotary International 2000-2003, Frank Devlyn asked Rotarians the World over to Create Awareness and take Action. Given his inspired Leadership, all Rotarians involved in the Charter of the Rotary Club of Dili, Timor Leste, fulfilled this obligation by Creative Action and putting Service above Self. Past District Governor 9550 Frank Darveniza 2000-2001 |
| This page was compiled and provided by PDG John Louttit |
RGHF members, who have been invited to this page, may register RGHF members, who have been invited to this page, may register If a DGE/N/D joins prior to their year, they will have more exposure to Rotary's Global History by their service year. This will be beneficial to all concerned. *Based on paid members, subscribers, Facebook friends, Twitter followers, mobile app users, History Library users, web pages, and articles about Rotary's Global History RGHF Home | Disclaimer | Privacy | Usage Agreement | RGHF on Facebook | Subscribe | Join RGHF | |