On Sunday 16th August a group of volunteers left Melbourne for East Timor lead by the founder of Timorlink, 18 year old Katrina Langford. Their mission was to drive a donated van to an East Timorese Orphanage from Melbourne through the centre of Australia to Darwin.

A support van was also taken to Darwin and both were loaded with supplies for the East Timorese, who still have virtually nothing after the Indonesian military plundered their homes in 1999.

The vans passed through Ballarat, Hamiliton, Portland, Casterton, Mt Gambier, Millicent, Murray Bridge, Mt Barker, Adelaide, Pt Pirie, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Adelaide River. Along the way Katerina spoke to school and community groups to raise awareness about Timorlink and East Timor aswell as raise funds for future projects.

Musical instruments, school supplies, computers, clothes and eye glasses made up some of the things taken. The trip went almost without incident, the only concern along the way was a faulty muffler which was kindly repaired by a helpful handyman and caused no further issues.

The trip began in Brunswick with a send off attended by guest speakers Bishop Hilton Deakin, author Helen Hill and lecturer Balthasar Kehi and many supporters.

The group arrived in Darwin at the end of August and the goods have been distributed!

THANKYOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED GOODS, FINANCES, TIME AND LOVE!