LIBBY BLEAKLEY on YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TIMOR LESTE

During her 3 year deployment in Timor-Leste with the Australian Federal Police Libby Bleakley developed strong friendships within the local community. In consultation with the community, the local police and government officials she initiated her own personal crime prevention initiative and established a Learning Centre for Youth and Community. The centre was officially opened in October 2016. Libby eventually resigned fro the Police Force and set up a coffee roasting business to help support the continuation of the Centre in Timor.



YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TIMOR LESTE

In 2015 Libby leased land and utilised her own funds and money raised to build a community centre in Timor Leste. It consisted of a "Plus Fitness" gym, English language school, women's sewing centre, office, vegetable gardens, Timorese Manager's House and her private residence.

The project was developed to establish a facility for the Timorese youth and community that develops skills, character and leadership through educational workshops, crime prevention workshops, language courses and fitness training. It has served to bring the community together and aims to prevent crime and reduce violence in the community and within families.

The Centre staff consists of a full-time live-in Manager, Centre Assistant, English language teacher, five women in the sewing Centre and 3 volunteer teachers. There are 120 English students, and 530 gym members. All membership is free and in return each member is responsible for undertaking volunteer work at the Centre. 

The Centre is a RAWCS project: 33/2014-15 called Sentru Formasaun ba Juventude no Comunidade (Learning Centre for Youth and Community) and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Blackheath.

LIBBY BLEAKLEY

Libby Bleakley was a Police Officer for nearly 30 years, 19 years of which she served with the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force and during that time she specialised in crime prevention, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, victim support and Indigenous issues. She then served with the Australian Federal Police in the Northern Territory, Sudan and Timor Leste. She resigned from the force to devote more time to developing her own crime prevention initiative; a youth and community centre in Timor-Leste. The initiative is a registered RAWCS project and Libby joined the Rotary Club of Blackheath in 2014. Libby is the author of "On A Mission"


              CONTACT:          Libby Bleakley            0411032961         ebleakley@live.com

               LOCATION:        Blackheath, NSW













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