Over 120 people gathered on the deck at the Marist Centre Brisbane last night for the launch of the annual Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) Christmas campaign which this year focuses on Timor-Leste. The chairman of the AMS board, Peter Sheehan, an old boy of Marist College Ashgrove, welcomed guests including members of the Oceania Council who were meeting during the day at the centre.
Michael Coleman, AMS Timor-Leste projects coordinator, introduced guests to the work of the Marists in Timor-Leste. There are currently 41 projects being funded by AMS in Timor-Leste with most of these being small local community education initiatives. In the near future AMS will be working with the Province of Australia to establish our first Marist school in the country.
The occasion also provided an opportunity for the launch of a new video on the Marist Teacher Training College in Baucau called ICFP. The award winning SBS freelance cinematographer, Francesca Rizzoli, was interviewed by Michael Coleman prior to her pro bono documentary being viewed. It was very well appreciated by all as an insightful narrative on the impact of the college on teacher methodology, student lives and the development of Timor-Leste. The video will be also shown at the AMS launches in Sydney (Nov 14), Melbourne (Nov 20) and Adelaide (Dec 5).
The evening concluded with thanks by Peter Sheehan to Helen Quirk and Kristen McLean of the Marist Centre admin team for organising the evening and to all present for their support.
Ashley Bulgarelli
Projects & Partnerships Coordinator
Australian Marist Solidarity