We are a volunteer-run organisation that has worked in partnership with the community of Maubisse in Timor-Leste since 2006.

Our relationship is built on friendship, consultation, and long-term community connection. Working beside our partners in Maubisse, we support community-identified priorities through programs focused on education, health, women’s health, skills development, and community wellbeing.

We are focussed on strengthening local capacity, supporting opportunities for young people, and building relationships that continue over time.

About Maubisse

Maubisse is a region, and town located in the central highlands of Timor-Leste, approximately 70 kilometres south of the capital, Dili, and around 1,400 metres above sea level. The region is known for its cooler climate, mountainous landscape, and strong agricultural traditions, particularly coffee growing.

Like many regional communities, Maubisse faces challenges connected to infrastructure, employment, health services, and access to education. At the same time, it is a community with strong local leadership, deep cultural connections, and a clear vision for its future.

Over nearly two decades, the Bendigo and Maubisse communities have developed a close and enduring relationship shaped by shared learning, mutual respect, and ongoing collaboration.

Our Partnership

We work closely with Maubisse community leaders, local coordinators, schools, health services, and partner organisations in Timor-Leste to identify priorities and guide programs.

Our consultative approach is central to how we work. Projects and activities are shaped through ongoing discussion and review, including regular communication and community consultations held in Maubisse.

Over time, our partnership has evolved alongside the priorities identified by the Maubisse community. Some of our programs have expanded, while others have changed direction, and some have gradually transitioned toward local leadership and management. We see this growth and adaptation as an important part of a healthy long-term partnership.

Our Approach

Our work is guided by the belief that strong relationships create stronger communities. We are committed to approaches that:

• support local leadership and decision-making
• strengthen long-term community capacity
• encourage education and skills development
• promote collaboration and shared learning
• build opportunities for future generations

As a volunteer-run organisation, BMFC also values the contribution of community members in both Bendigo and Maubisse who continue to support the partnership through their time, skills, knowledge, and generosity.

Looking Forward

In 2026, we mark twenty years of the Bendigo–Maubisse partnership continuing to grow and adapt.

We remain committed to supporting opportunities for young people, strengthening relationships between our communities, and ensuring the partnership continues into the future through new generations of involvement, leadership, and shared understanding.