About Me

My first trip to Timor-Leste was in June 2000. I was asked to establish an office for Australian Volunteers International, and thus began my journey of getting to know this country’s unique and ongoing story. I have lived in Timor-Leste for two years (accumulatively) since then. I am fascinated by its people, its challenges and its success. Through my varied experiences I have witnessed terror, compassion, nepotism, cooperative learning, injustice and survival. I am honoured to have established contact with over 300 people, both Timorese and foreign, who have contributed to the development of the worlds newest country and the poorest in Asia.

Since March 2006 I have moderated the e-List for the Timor-Leste Studies Association and created the website: www.tlstudies.org

My work revolved around Timor-Leste for eight years. I am now a Pacific Economic Post-Doctoral Fellow, funded by AusAID, at the Crawford School of Economics and Government (ANU), and based in Melbourne.