More than just a film screening, this event marks 50 years since the Balibó Five journalists and Roger East were murdered in Timor-Leste.

Enjoy a drink on arrival, meet director Rob Connolly, and stay for an engaging post-film Q&A in what promises to be a memorable night of reflection.

Don’t miss out – book your seats now

All funds raised will go to the Balibó House Trust in their vital work partnering with the community of Balibó to support health, education and local development.

When: Sunday 7 December at 5:30pm.

Venue: Sun Theatre, 8 Ballarat St, Yarraville.

Cost: $50 full, $30 concession (Timorese, students, children, concession card holders)

Strictly limited seats will be available for this special event! Book now

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Timor-Leste President His Excellency Dr José Ramos-Horta spoke at a special event at Victoria University on 20 October 2025 to mark 50 years since the deaths of the Balibó Five and reflect on their legacy through the continuing work of the Balibó House Trust.

It has been half a century since the five Australian-based journalists were killed in Balibó on 16 October 1975. Their deaths remain a defining moment in Australia’s relationship with Timor-Leste, and their story continues to resonate across generations.

The Balibó House Trust was established in their memory and has worked for more than two decades with the people of Balibó to support health, education and local development.

In Proud Collaboration with Victoria University’s The Jean McLean Oration

The Jean McLean Oration recognises the tireless efforts of The Hon Dr Jean McLean AM, whose decades of solidarity with Timor-Leste have shaped enduring people-to-people connections.

The evening was both a commemoration of the past and a reaffirmation of the ongoing work of the Trust to honour the Balibó Five through practical support and partnership in Timor-Leste.

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The Balibó House Trust was established soon after Timor-Leste’s independence to commemorate the murder of the Balibó Five by Indonesian special forces and the subsequent murder of Roger East.

Through the anniversary commemorations the Australian community will be reminded of the wider story of Timor-Leste, its long struggle for independence, and Australia’s role in that struggle.

The commemoration of the Balibó Five and the work of the Balibó House Trust goes further, however.

From neglect and persecution under occupation, the community of Balibó is strengthened to be better able to play their part in the still evolving and growing nation of Timor-Leste.

The Trust and its partners work with the community of the Balibó sub-district to help improve their lives through practical measures. Through education, health care, social enterprise, clean water and cultural remembrance, the work of the Trust makes a real difference to the lives of thousands of  people in the Balibó community.

This work is a living memorial to the Balibó Five and Roger East and shows that loss can be overcome by building and sharing, that from tragedy can arise positive outcomes.

This work also builds and strengthens community bonds in Australia, between the Trust and its partners and with the many other people the Trust has  the privilege of working with.

The Trust’s work is all about people. It ‘builds links, family to family and community to community,’ Trust Chair John Milkins said. ‘It is about sharing what makes us human’.

For further information or media requests please contact the Trust: trust@balibo.org

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Channel 7 was a foundational supporter of Balibo House Trust and their ongoing support keeps the memory of the Balibo Five strong.

It’s a legacy that has achieved so much, and soon we will announce special events in Balibo and Melbourne to mark the 50th anniversary and continue to work for a brighter future for the Balibo community.

The post The Balibo Five – A lasting legacy appeared first on Balibó House Trust.

Balibo House Trust was honoured to have in attendance His Excellency Taur Matan Ruak Prime Minister, Her Excellency Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, His Excellency Brigadier General (rtd) Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus Minister of Defence, Her Excellency Inácia Teixeira, Minister of Tourism Trade and Industry, Vice Chief of the F-FDTL Major General Calisto Santos (Coliati), His Excellency Bill Coestello, Australian Ambassador to Timor Leste, INTERFET Country Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Community, local Chefes, the Bobonaro District Administrator, Balibo House Trust Patron, The Honorable Steve Bracks, and Harold Mitchell AC.

The Museum was made possible through the support of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and Sponsors the Harold Mitchell Foundation, Vanzella Creative, Balibo Fort Hotel, Bryon Cunningham, Design Case, Designcraft and Image Box.

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Ricardo has been a force of nature whose energy, commitment, vision and leadership has inspired so many to get involved in the cause of Timor Leste and the work of the Balibo House Trust.

Ricardo was a Trust Board member for 5 years, but he quickly decided that he could achieve far more by mobilising his Rotary network as partners in the Trust’s work.  For over 12 years he brought his vast experience in business, together with his passion for the people of Timor Leste to make so many projects happen.

At a time when the Trust was grappling with the enormity of the Balibo Fort Hotel project Ricardo brought his hotelier experience to bear, developing a business plan and demonstrating to donors that we had the capability to make it work.  Without Ricardo, it is doubtful that the Trust would have even contemplated taking on such an ambitious venture, or that donors would have been so fulsome in their support.

Ricardo, threw himself into every project. With his great friends in Rotary, he assiduously raised funds for the dental clinic, for the volunteer accommodation, the community kitchen, the Balibo Five kindergarten and several schools that the Trust rebuilt in partnership with Rotary and Spend It Well.

No project was too big or too small for Ricardo.  He described his own Port Melbourne Rotary Club as the dunny club, because it funded numerous sanitary projects.  But it quickly expanded into the can-do club, marshalling the amazing network of Rotary clubs to fund all manner of things.  And if there was ever a funding shortfall, Ricardo and his wife Suzanne put their hands I their own pockets to fund the difference.  Consequently, every project reached its funding target.

And it wasn’t just money.  Ricardo and others like his friend David Dippie from Keilor Rotary would spend days at Rotary’s Donations in Kind, filling containers with all manner of useful things like school furniture, dental chairs and playground equipment.

Despite the creeping impact of MND, Ricardo’s energy and commitment did not flag.  He was instrumental in marshalling Rotary to fund three schools in partnership with Spend It well and then with his wife Suzanne proceeded to completely fund the rebuild of the Faluwai school himself.  He particularly delighted in the energy and hope for the future embodied in Timor’s young people.

His contribution to our work has been diverse and with an enormous impact.  Indeed, without Ricardo and the Rotary network, so much of what we have achieved would simply not have happened.

His contribution was acknowledged by the Government of Timor Leste when Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao invited him in 2019 to the 20^th. Anniversary of the vote for independence.  Sadly, his illness prevented him from being able to attend.

Ricardo’s generosity of spirit is legendary and he greeted everyone with open arms.  He loved the people of Timor Leste and made many friends in Balibo.  His loss will be mourned there as well as here in Australia.

With the current COVID restrictions in Victoria we are unable to gather and pay tribute to Ricardo, but the family have expressed the hope that in the New Year we can join them to acknowledge and celebrate his wonderful life and amazing contribution.

In the meantime, our thoughts are very much with Suzanne and their family.

Vale Ricardo.  You will continue to live in our hearts and inspire us to greater heights.

Rob Hudson

on behalf of the Board of the Balibo House Trust

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Statement from the Balibo House Trust at the construction launch of the Balibo Fort Museum

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and especially all my great friends in Balibo.

I am so sorry that due to the COVID 19 pandemic I am unable to join you in Balibo today to launch the construction of the Balibo Fort Museum and commemorate the 20^th. Anniversary of INTERFET.

The Balibo House Trust was established in memory of the five Australian journalists, killed in Balibo on October 16^th. 1975.  They died in the pursuit of the truth and the cause of freedom.  Tens of thousands of East Timorese also lost their lives pursuing the right to chart their own future, and we remember all those locally who died so that Timor Leste could become an independent and free nation.

The Trust is founded on honoring the past, whilst working with the people of the Balibo Sub-District to build a more prosperous future.  The Balibo Fort Hotel and Museum are a visible expression of that.  The Fort has played a significant role in the history of the district, both as a fortress for colonial rule and as a home base for international forces seeking to protect a fledgling country which had just voted for independence.

Intertwined with its history are stories of heroism and courage, by the local community, and by Timorese, Australian and international soldiers, in World War 2, during the occupation and in 1999.  It is vital that we all reflect on the sacrifices that have been made so that it strengthens our resolve to create a better future.

The Trust has sought to honour and preserve this local history through the Australian Flag House and through this wonderful 300-year-old Portuguese Fort.  It is our hope that through the wonderful addition of the Fort Museum that visitors will come to the District to learn more about Timor Leste and its history, culture and people.  In doing so they will help support the local economy and our social enterprise, the Balibo Fort Hotel, which is providing much need training and employment for young people in the area.

So please enjoy this auspicious day in the ongoing story of the Balibo Fort.  And come back someday to stay and enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the people in this District.

Rob Hudson

Chair

Balibo House Trust

19^th September 2020

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How exciting to be in the featured on the Ministry of Timor Leste’s official Timor-Leste Tourism website!

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