Australian human rights advocate and Old Collegian Pat Walsh (SPC 1953-54, PY1958) will be launching a book focusing on his long association with East Timor at the Ballarat Library on Friday November 22.
The book, 鈥淭he Day Hope and History Rhymed in East Timor and other East Timor stories鈥�, focuses on Pat鈥檚 memories of East Timor鈥檚 Referendum for Independence in 1999 and their continuing efforts for nationhood 20 years on.
Pat is a human rights advocate and author with special interests in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Originally from South Purrumbete near Camperdown, Pat also lived in Cape Clear and attended 每日大赛网址首页进入 as a day student in First and Second Year. And he now lives in Melbourne with his wife Annie Keogh and three daughters.
Pat promoted self-determination for East Timor for nearly three decades and was part of Australia鈥檚 official delegation, led by Tim Fischer, to witness the historic ballot of August 30 1999.
Supported by the UN, he was special advisor to East Timor鈥檚 truth and reconciliation commission and edited the English edition of the commission鈥檚 report Chega.
Both Timor-Leste and Australia have honoured his contribution to human rights and reconciliation in the region.
He is the author of 鈥淎t The Scene of the Crime鈥� (2011) and 鈥淪tormy With a Chance of Fried Rice: 12 Months in Jakarta鈥� (2015). Pat鈥檚 website can be found at
Pat鈥檚 book will be available for signing and purchase at the book launch at the Ballarat Library, in Doveton Street North, at 5.30pm. Light refreshments will be served.
Bookings can be made at
