Greetings to our wonderful network of supporters. The Balibo House Trust team hopes you enjoy this short update on recent activities.
Working with the Balibo community
The Balibó House Trust continues to work with the community in and around Balibó to support health, education and local development.
General Manager Balibo 5 Community Centre
Congratulations to Maun Marino (Rino) Fernandes, who has been appointed as the first-ever full-time General Manager Balibo 5 Community Centre. He is pictured above during a recent meeting with the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson.
This appointment reflects Maun Rinos strong track record and standing in the community and the Trust’s commitment to investing in strengthening local leadership and capability.
Oral health services
Balibo Dental Clinic is one of the only free community dental services in Timor Leste. The Clinic is operated by an all-Timorese staff team who are supported by regular visits from dedicated volunteer dentists. Since opening in 2017, the Clinic has treated over 20,000 patients, many of whom had never seen a dentist previously.
To extend reach and impact, the team has commenced regular outreach visits to remote communities, using mobile equipment donated by the Timor Children’s Foundation. There is also a focus on supporting people with transport barriers to access the clinic.
The Kose Nehan oral health promotion and prevention program runs alongside the clinic. In the first four months of 2026 (Jan-April), over 500 children in local schools have been seen. Over one-third have “silver fluoride” treatments applied to prevent cavities. Around 15% are referred to the clinic for treatment of infections and decay.
We thank Oral Health Services Victoria, who are one of the major supporters of this work.
Sewing Group at the Balibo Women’s Centre
Supported by Days for Girls, the sewing group operating from the Balibo Women’s Centre make and distribute beautiful menstruation kits for girls. This enables girls to attend school and other activities, regardless of the time of month.
The group also make post-partum kits for new mothers.
Expansion of clean water and sanitation initiatives
Access to clean water and sanitation continue to be huge challenges across Balibo and the surrounding remote areas. Major water assets, including mass water filtration units, were installed during 2025. More are to be installed in mid-2026, bringing clean water to community and medical facilities. Work to protect natural water sources from pollution will also be undertaken.
Fundraising for the 2026 Balibo WASH and Maternity projects is underway.
Donate here.
Delivery of the Balibo WASH and Maternity projects is underpinned by a strong partnership. Volunteer engineers connected with MiVAC are donating their expertise. The H2Osborn initiative is supporting ongoing maintenance and repairs of water assets – an essential investment for project sustainability.
Remembering the Balibó Five 50 years on: “reflection and hope”
In late 2025, the Balibó House Trust held three special events to commemorate fifty years since Tony Stewart, Gary Cunningham, Greg Shackleton, Malcolm Rennie, Brian Peters, and later Roger East were murdered in Timor Leste by Indonesian forces.
These events brought together communities, supporters, officials and the families who have never forgotten. As well as being a time of remembrance, there was also a sense of looking forward, with the ongoing work of the Trust with the community of Balibo being a living memorial for the Balibó Five.
Balibó remembers
In Balibó itself, thousands of people gathered on 16 October for a commemoration marked by sadness, reflection and hope. Balibo House Trust representatives, including our patron Steve Bracks AC, along with Evan Shackleton, James Kelly, Monica Ferrie and Terry Bracks attended. There was a heartfelt exchange of gifts between families of the local Balibo martyrs and the Balibo Five.
Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta posthumously awarded the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nation’s highest honour, to honour the journalists as national martyrs.
Events in Australia
In Melbourne, the Balibó House Trust brought the anniversary home with two significant events.
On 20 October, Timor-Leste President Dr José Ramos-Horta delivered the annual Victoria University Jean McLean Oration, held in collaboration with the Balibó House Trust.
“We can never forget their courage, their integrity. Their sacrifice is forever ingrained in our history,” said President Ramos-Horta. “The memory of the Balibo Five, their courage and their commitment in telling the truth about what happened, is inspiring to people in Australia and inspiring to our young journalists.”
Then, on Sunday 7 December, Yarraville’s Sun Theatre held a commemorative screening of the 2009 film Balibó, marking the 50th anniversary of Indonesia’s full invasion of East Timor and the date of Roger East’s murder.
The screening was hosted by The Sun’s Michael Smith and featured director Robert Connolly, who shared his deeply moving personal journey from the making of Balibó.
“Despite sad elements of the story, there’s a triumphant one too that this small country found its way to independence with the help of many activists in Australia,” Robert Connolly said. “It’s pretty incredible, really.”
Balibo House. Trust Chair John Milkins offered powerful reflections from one of the Balibo Five families and spoke about the positive legacy of the Balibo House Trust and its ongoing partnership with the Balibo community.
Fifty years on, the Balibó Five and Roger East remain symbols of the courage journalism demands, and the price truth can exact. Justice has not yet been served, and no one has ever been held to account for their deaths, but their legacy lives on through the work being done in their name in Balibó today.
BHT’s new strategic plan
Standby for the release of BHT’s new Strategic Plan 2026-2030. Reflecting evolution and maturation across the BHT’s long-term commitment, the Strategy is focused on Capability, Sustainability and Impact. We look forward to sharing it with our supporters and community soon.
BHT Executive Officer – changing of the guards
Those of you who attended our Melbourne-based 50th commemorations would have taken part in a special recognition of Terry Bracks, retiring Executive Officer, for her outstanding support of the Trust over many years. Rest assured, we will stay closely connected with Terry, and Steve will continue as Patron.
The Trust is pleased to welcome Nicole Rees as the incoming EO. Nic has just returned from Balibo.
We need your support
If you are in a position to donate, it would mean a great deal to us and to the people of Balibo.
Every contribution helps us continue this long-term work with the Balibo community.