Earlier this year we were lucky enough to receive a donation from Upwey High School, Victoria. Here's what Sophie Beyerle, the student who engineered this donation, had to say:

My name is Sophie Beyerle and I am a year 12 student at Upwey High School, located in the Dandenong Ranges in south east. I am the Community leader for 2015 and I was in charge of organizing the schools ANZAC Ceremony in this centenary year. I found out about the Grub Club while researching charities for a free dress day, I wanted to hold a free dress day in the week leading up to ANZAC day in order to support either soldiers or the work they have done. I liked the idea of The Grub Club as it was a small charity working with schools in East Timor; it was not only supporting the work of our soldiers in Timor-Leste but also supporting education, something students often take for granted. The free dress day was held on the 24th of April and we managed to raise over $700 for the Grub Club which is most we have raised in a number of years. As a school we are very proud to be donating this money to The Grub Club and highly commend Debbie for her amazing work.

Thank you Sophie and thank you Upwey HS. Your donation will help us continue building the kindergarten in Bei Cala.

While activity has been a bit slow since the completion of our school building we are currently working on a number of projects.

Jino our East Timorese manager, is presently collecting information including financials and plans for the following projects.

Project 1: Teaching Scholarship. 
We are looking at providing a scholarship to a student that went through Escola Pre-Secondaria Foho Ailico who wants to undertake teacher training. We are looking at providing funding to cover the course fees and a small living allowance.

Project 2; Pre-schools

We are looking at costings and plans for two pre-schools. One to be built at the current Bei Cala school complex. This will enhance the existing Primary School and High School arrangement.  The second pre-school is for the small village of Boramba, which is a feeder area for Bei Cala and has a small primary school. We are looking at one room buildings, possibly open but undercover.

I envisage having all these costings and plans by the end of February, when the committee will meet and make final arrangements. These are very exciting additions to our ongoing involvement in Bei Cala and East Timor. 

It has been an awesome two days so far with a fantastic turn out at the first Golf Day on 28th February 2014 and yesterday 1st March for the 6th Sgt. Matthew Locke MG Charity Match. Army defeated Bellingen 34 to 18 in a game that had spectators on the edge of their seats. The rain didn't deter too many of us, a good hose down afterwards was all that was needed and the generosity of the Bellingen community once again surpasses all. 

A mighty thanks to so many people. Firstly the volunteers Bellingen Dorrigo Juniors, Bellingen Hockey Club and the guys from 41st NSWREG. Army Thunder, Mates4mates, Magpies, Bellingen Shire Council, Coffs Coast Formwork, Lions Club, Diggers Tavern, Bellingen Cellars, Bellingen Butchery, Hyde Park Inn, Pacific Bay Resort, EMI, NRL, Group 2, Mid Coast Printing, Toby Cuthel and SES, Bellingen RSL Sub-Branch, Bellingen Country Club and C.ex Coffs and Richard Layt.

I also can't overlook the support of Army Cmdr. Special Forces Dan McDaniels, Campbell Barracks CO Greg Daly and RSM Cole Busby, Capt. David Thompson, Lt Col. Matt Stevens, Capt. Susan Lumsdain and last but certainly not least Cpl. Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG. 

There  is no doubt that I have forgotten to mention someone, but while your name may not be in print, your are certainly in my heart and I thank you, without you all we could not do this. Thank You.

As the Sgt. Matthew Locke MG Charity Match draws closer for 2014 the town has been spruced up with banners which line the entrance to town. Thanks to the Bellingen Shire Council Community Grants the Charity Match have been able to purchase display banners.

Nearly 60 players have signed on for the inaugural 3 ball ambrose at Bellingen Golf Match. The mayor will  'Welcome to Bellingen' all our guests at 2pm. On Saturday 1st March gates open at 2pm, under 18s start at 2.30, support game at 4pm, offical ceremony at 5.30pm and main game starts at 6pm. Bellingen has the distinct advantage of not three guest players, but four. Danny Buderus, Brett Finch, MIchael Croker and Jason Ryles are all pulling on the boots for Bellingen. It will be an exciting afternoon of entertainment with the Army Band also performing. On Sunday the 2nd March the Coffs Regional Brass Band will be supporting the Army Band who have once again putting on a concert in aid of our event at C.ex Coffs. Doors open at 11am, concert will run to 1pm.