This unique project emerged from the enthusiasm of a committed group of Australians to assist the people of one of our poorest neighbouring nations.
A group of Australians has now raised the money required to build a Chancery in Canberra for the people of East Timor.
The intent to harness the will and resources of the Australian people to build a symbol of independence for Timor-Leste has now resulted in a completed Chancery building in Deakin, Canberra. The Embassy has been handed over to the Government of Timor Leste as a national gift to the Timor-Leste people from the people of Australia.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne and Leadership Victoria joined forces in 2002 and established the Australian Timor Leste Embassy Fund, a collaboration of individuals, corporations, government and the philanthropic section in Australia with Timor-Leste leaders and groups in Timor-Leste and Australia. This remarkable project is the only known gift of an Embassy from the people of one country to another.
Seven years in the making and now completed, the Timor-Leste Embassy in Canberra will serve as an historic landmark and a demonstration of the extraordinary commitment of the Australian people and our willingness to walk alongside the Timor-Leste people as they rebuild their nation.
The unique joint venture between Rotary Melbourne and Leadership Victoria was reflected in the composition of the Board, to represent both organsiations.
Neville Barwick – Chairman, Rotary Melbourne
Bob Glindemann
– Rotary Melbourne
Tony Peake – Leadership Victoria
Phil Endersbee – Rotary Melbourne, Leadership Victoria
Darryl Abotomey – Leadership Victoria
David Judd – Leadership Victoria
Ex Officio:
Jack Haber – Project Director, Leadership Victoria
Jenny Trethewey - Secretary, Leadership Victoria
A site overlooking Canberra was provided by the Government of Australia and formally accepted by the Government of Timor-Leste. The site is on the corner of Beale Crescent, Deakin, next to the Bosnian Embassy and opposite the Brunei Embassy.
Norman Day, the design architect for the Embassy describes the design:
“The Embassy buildings, as a group, grow out of their soil, which reflects on the spiritual nature of life in Timor Leste and its deeper connections with nature.
Organic materials, the sweep of a deep terra cotta roof, a swing bridge that barely scrapes the ground, the ‘Timor Leste’ gardens and straightforward construction techniques, all echo the mystical simplicity of life in Timor Leste.
This could be a model for the meeting houses and community halls of the nation. It’s form reflects traditions of pole houses and twine-fixings, the organisation of space using pavilions that together make up the Embassy collective, suggests a traditional village or ‘succo’.
Our intention was to create a building of the people of Timor Leste, but located far away from their homeland. By instilling it with the spirit of its people, we believe any geographical distance is erased. Perhaps that remoteness between locations can be bridged and translated into the real world of diplomacy, politics, community service, education and administration - for which this building functions."
Embassy Timor Leste : Canberra Architect’s Statement
Norman Day + Associates, Architects + Planners
The Building was constructed by Grocon Pty.Ltd. at cost and was completed in February 2009.
The project saw a phenomenal response from people who have initially rallied to support Timor-Leste following the violence in 2000, and those who have heard the story more recently. It reflects a determination by the people of Australia to see the new country through the difficult first few years of establishing itself as a nation.
The design and documentation of the project was possible through the generous pro bono contributions volunteered by leading consultancy firms.
Please feel free to click through to the web links of our Sponsors:
John T Reid Charitable Trusts
Thyne Reid Foundation
Grocon
Tattersalls George Adams Foundation
WCF Thomas Charitable Trust
Please feel free to click through to the web links of our Supporters:
A3P
Arup
Boral
Cappello Plumbing and Gas Fitting
Carol and Bruce Lancashire
Caroma Dorf
Coates Hire
Connell Mott Macdonald
CTR Pacific
Daikin
Delta Group
DLA Phillips Fox
Herbert Geer and Rundle
Mittagong Home Hardware
No Need for a Screed
Norman Day and Associates
One Steel
Philip Chun and Associates
Point Project Management
Rider Levett Bucknall
Steensen Varming
Tecbeam Australasia
Thorn Lighting
Truss Me
Webber and Associates
WT Partnership
Pro bono Services have been provided by:
Peter Mathieson, Principal - Connell Mott MacDonald - Engineering Consultant
Pippa Connolly, Principal - Arup, Fellow of Leadership Victoria - Engineering Consultant
Bill Fazio, Partner - Herbert Geer and Rundle, Fellow of Leadership Victoria - Legal Advisor
Ellen Williamson, Partner - DLA Phillips Fox - Legal Consultant
Lisa Hinrichsen, Partner - KPMG, Fellow of Leadership Victoria - Advisor
Bernie Szentirmay, Partner - KPMG
Adam Brooks, Partner - Herbert Geer and Rundle - Legal Advisor
Mark Lochran, Principal - Quantity Surveyors Rider Levett Bucknall - Building Consultant
Norman Day, Norman Day & Associates - Architect
Vic Baines, Senior Associate - Webber & Associates - Documenting Architect
Jill Hollingworth, Director – Tango Public Relations
John Ridley - Fundraising Committee
Carol Lancashire - Fundraising Committee
Bruce Lancashire - Website
Stuart Smith, Brook Baker - WebFM - Project Management Software
The Brotherhood of St Laurence agreed to manage the funds and accounting services on behalf of the fund.
Grocon Pty.Ltd. - Building Contractor
Tecbeam Australasia Pty Ltd – Floor system
United Bonded Pty Ltd – Insulation