CPSU helps East Timorese school

A fundraising project set up by Southern Cross University staff to help provide facilities for an East Timorese school has received a boost with a $500 donation from the CPSU, the General Staff Union.

For the last two years a group of staff from SCU's Coffs Harbour and Lismore campuses have been donating to the Atauro Island school fund. The money has so far enabled the Pala Sekolah Dasar school at Biquele to buy chairs and tables and classroom supplies.

Coffs Harbour Education Campus chaplain Mrs Anne Weeks, who co-ordinates the project, said she was very appreciative of the additional funds provided by the CPSU.

"This donation will be used to provide much needed equipment for the school, which has no running water and only electricity supplied from a generator," Anne said.

CPSU organiser at SCU Mr Stephen Senise said the Union was very happy to be playing a part in helping SCU staff assist the people of East Timor.

CPSU Branch President at SCU, Toni Ledgerwood, said: "It is a testament to the generosity of many university staff members that they feel individually compelled to help the East Timorese people."

Anyone who would like to contribute to the fund should contact Anne Weeks on 02 66593262 or email:aweeks@scu.edu.au

Further information see the SCU media release, Uni to launch East Timor aid project - 07/03/2002.

Media contact for the project: Brigid Veale, SCU Media Liaison, 66593006 or m. 0439 680 748.