Mary MacKillop Institute of East Timorese Studies

In 1974/75 some Timorese children were spirited out of Timor for the safety of Portugal after many months of hiding in the mountains. Whilst in Portugal some were formed into a Choir "Coro Loro Sa'e" by a Timorese man, Cornélio Cruz. The Red Cross recorded the choir in 1976 and the recordings are stunning.

This Christmas, choir members from Australia, East Timor and Portugal are coming together in Sydney. Mr Cornélio is coming too, as well as the two original accompanists.

It will be a celebration of song, of memories and of courage. We hope you can meet the choir members and hear them. Read more here.

Our history book "Mary MacKillop East Timor 1994 - 2006" by Margaret Press rsj and Susan Connelly rsj is available for $25 plus postage. All profits to our many works. Click here to get your copy.

During his visit to Sydney in 1993, Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, Apostolic Administrator of Dili, visited the Josephite Chapel in North Sydney and prayed at the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop. Afterwards, in an interview with the Sisters of St Joseph, Bishop Belo spoke of his hope for “the building up of a new society in peace, reconciliation and forgiveness.”

It was in response to his appeal for help with the work of education in his large and troubled diocese, and after consultation with members of the East Timorese community in Australia, that the Mary MacKillop Institute of East Timorese Studies was established on August 8, 1994.

During the next tumultuous decade the Timorese people continued their struggle and became the first new nation of the present millennium on May 20, 2002. In a spirit of solidarity and friendship, we are privileged to work with the people of Timor-Leste as they build their future.

In 2005 our name was changed to Mary MacKillop East Timor. During that year the Ministry of Education and UNICEF asked that our books and resources be made available for use by all the children in the primary schools of Timor-Leste and in 2006 that initiative became a reality.

The pattern on the masthead of this page is a picture of a section of East Timorese handwoven cloth, known as Tais. This is a traditional heavy cotton cloth, made by hand, bearing colours and motifs distinctive to the region of origin. Besides its durability and beauty, Tais is an important cultural symbol and is used extensively at weddings and funerals, for gift-giving and traditional welcomes, and other significant life rituals.

Tetun Literacy Programme

Educational Support