A.B.E.T. Queensland

Aussie Boats for East Timor is a completely non-profit, non-political,
non-denominational organisation dedicated to helping
the peoples of East Timor rebuild their lives.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT SINCE THE INVASION OF EAST TIMOR BY INDONESIA IN 1975, MORE THAN 200,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MURDERED!

SHOCKED? Then please read on, join us today and make a difference!

What We Do

This is where we enter the picture. In order to restore this country, the people must have a means to support themselves. While we, like many other organisations, are gathering donations of clothes, food, and other necessities, there is no way for the East Timorese to perpetuate this lifestyle on their own with only generous donations. They wish total independence, not only from oppressors but also from hand outs and support from well meaning groups.

With this in mind, we have decided to organise a method of helping the Timorese that will result in their independence in all ways ~ by building them boats so they can fish and provide for themselves and regrow their economy on their own.

The idea is that with private, corporate and organisational support, we can make an enormous difference to the regeneration of East Timor by building and supplying to the fishermen of the country, a minimum of 200 small boats with which to feed their families and neighbours, who at the moment are living on charity or starving.

It is a fact that one boat can feed ten families and that although two hundred boats sounds like a lot, in reality it is only a start.

1 BOAT X 10 FAMILIES (approx 8 persons per family) = 80 PEOPLE X 200 BOATS =
16,OOO PEOPLE being fed by their own efforts on a daily basis.

We've done the math and we believe that this is an excellent value!

We are also very interested in teaching the Timorese how to build their own boats in the future,
so they can start a boatbuilding and repair facility in East Timor,
which will allow them to regain their independence even more quickly.

The 'Timor Dory'

This boat was originally designed as the 'Fat Canoe', in consultation with East Timorese fishermen, by John Welsford, a well known designer, builder and sailor of small craft, in Rotarua, New Zealand. John has a personal knowledge of East Timor and designed this boat specifically for our project as a donation.
Thank you, John.

The Timor Dory is an upgrade created by Barry Wicks of our ABET NSW office.
The new design incorporates significant modifications that allow the boats to
better accomodate the 15hp outboards which are currently in use.
Thank you, Barry!

They are made from plywood, coated with epoxy resin and fibreglassed up to the waterline. Each boat can carry 2 crew members and 3/4 of a ton in cargo and have been designed to support an outrigger, thru raised ribs above the sheerline. Two boats may even be joined to form a catamaran-type hull, with a platform for ease of hauling nets for two crews.

Each has the ability to be rowed, sculled, paddled, sailed or powered by an outboard motor
(now even better than before, thanks to Barry!).

Each boat is delivered complete, including the following:
• OARS
• PADDLES
• ROWLOCKS
• 2 CAST NETS OF DIFFERENT SIZES
• SQUID JIGS
• FISHING LINE WITH ASSORTED HOOKS AND SINKERS
• FISHING NETS (where available)

The sail and spars can be constructed from bamboo and a tarpauline,
supplies which are available in East Timor.

Below are pictures of a traditional East Timorese boat and a completed A.B.E.T. boat.
By comparing the two pictures below, you can see how closely our Fat Canoe design
replicates the boats traditionally used in East Timor.

Traditional boat in Dili	Fat Canoe being tested by boatbuilder Barry Wicks

Please read on ...

If you would like to help us build boats for the East Timorese people,
by contributing your time and expertise or monetary donations,
or donating in some other way to this worthy cause,
please click on the button below to join us today.