Ermera, East Timor - Friendship Cities
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In 2004, the City of Casey established a Friendship Link with Ermera in East Timor. 
A formal Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation between the City of Casey and the District of Ermera. In entering this agreement, the City of Casey sought to assist in the re-building of Ermera and facilitate community-to-community links with Ermera.
Ermera is the name of a district in East Timor, and also of a town in that district. Like most other districts in East Timor, it suffered terrible destruction of life, civic buildings and private property at the time of the Independence vote in August 1999. Ermera was badly devastated and burnt to the ground when occupying forces left East Timor. A humanitarian need arose for neighbouring communities to step forward and provide assistance.
Casey has a large East Timorese community and many refugees settled in Casey have come from the Ermera District.
Ermera is a mountainous region with a temperate climate and distinct wet and dry seasons. Most of the population work in agriculture, predominantly growing and harvesting coffee. Ermera is one of the most beautiful districts in East Timor with spectacular mountain and river scenery, waterfalls, hot water springs, wildlife and friendly , hospitable people.
Friends of Ermera
The Friends of Ermera, a community-based group of concerned citizens of the City of Casey, formed in 2002 with the aim of helping the people of Ermera, East Timor. It became an incorporated association in May 2003.
Its first aim is to work for the benefit of the people of the district of Ermera; to help them to rebuild their lives and communities. It seeks to do this by raising funds, organising the provision of goods, services and technical advice, and encouraging local Australian groups who are able to do so to assist in this process of recovery and reconstruction. In all this, its concern is to respond to the needs and priorities in Ermera as they are identified by the East Timorese themselves.
The Friends of Ermera also focus on water supply rehabilitation, building projects, provision of medical equipment and supplies, scholarships, youth leadership, education and building the skills and capacity of the people of Ermera.
The City of Casey and Friends of Ermera have worked on a number of projects such as: teacher exchange and professional development programs; providing sewing machines to women’s groups; sending second hand soccer boots for use by children and young people; supporting friendship links between local schools and kindergartens.
Several local Casey schools and kindergartens have friendship links with a school or kindergarten in Ermera. Under the umbrella of the Australian Friendships Schools Project, support is provided in areas such as professional development for teachers, teacher exchanges, literacy packs, curriculum development, rehabilitation of buildings and sports facilities. City of Casey schools involved include Kambrya College, Beaconhills College Village Campus, Eumemmerring Secondary College Glen Eagles Campus, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, St Paul’s Apostle North Primary School, St Paul’s Apostle South Primary School and Woodbine Road Kindergarten.
For more information contact Mrs Jan Trezise on 5944 4676.
Please find a link to the Friends of Ermera Casey Connect site: www.caseyconnect.net.au/friendsofermera
Google Maps satellite image of Ermera, East Timor
Coffee from Ermera, East Timor available for purchase