This article first appeared on the Good Return website... In September 2021 Good Return was thrilled to partner with the Good Business Foundation. The Good Business Foundation shares Good Return’s mission to enable those living in poverty to achieve economic empowerment through responsible financial inclusion and capability development. Together our aim is to build [...]
On Easter Sunday this year, many of us were doing something we hadn't done for some time. We gathered as families, heard the squeals and laughter of our children (or in my case grandchildren) as they searched for easter eggs under leaves and bushes. Many of us settled in for a traditional Easter lunch [...]
Last week, I honoured my final commitment as Timor-Leste’s Honorary Consul in Melbourne and Victoria, as guest speaker at Mansfield’s “Friends of Venilale” 15-year celebration. It was a joyous occasion, attended by many long term supporters of Timor-Leste in the Mansfield community and beyond. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve [...]
As the plane’s tyres left the tarmac at Tullamarine airport I was filled with anticipation and anxiety in equal measure. A few months earlier I had established The Good Business Foundation (GBF) and I was now heading to America and to Europe to test out our hypotheses. In a time of governments’ inaction on [...]
Fireworks crackled and flashed overhead, the crowd around me broke into spontaneous dance. Off in the distance, I saw a familiar figure. The crowd swarmed around him hugging and cheering. His smile is all too familiar. One of those smiles that lights up a crowd, or in his case a nation. It was my old [...]
The legacy of Australia's Balibo 5 is set to continue as Balibo House Trust and Spend It Well, have combined resources to support the redevelopment of a new P-2 School in Belola, near Balibo. Last week, in my capacity as Honorary Consult of Timor-Leste to Melbourne, I attended a heart-warming opening ceremony for this [...]
Timor-Leste has long been a favourite country of mine. Since 2002 I have visited Timor-Leste regularly, initially as a guest at the Independence Celebrations and then in my capacity as Advisor to the Timor-Leste Government on the establishment of the country's first Chamber of Commerce, CCI-TL, in 2008. I have since travelled to Timor-Leste as [...]
Ernest Lin, Director-General, CACCI has this week made an announcement regarding the Election of New CACCI President and Other CACCI Officers. It reads as follows; "We are pleased to announce the election of Mr. Samir Modi as the new President of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) for the next two [...]
Last week we officially launched Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Melbourne. The official launch and presentation ceremony took place at Cornwall Stodart’s Melbourne office. It was a great evening, with a good turnout, some wonderful Georgian wines, delicious food and a magnificent Georgian choir. His Excellency Mr George Dolidze, The Ambassador of Georgia oversaw the [...]
You may not be aware that I am Georgia’s Honorary Consul in Melbourne. This is a role that I am enjoying greatly. Today, 29 May 2018, is Georgia’s National Day. I thought this made it a worthy occasion to share with you some information about Georgia that you may not already be aware. For a small [...]
