2025 marks the 25th anniversary of several Australian Friendship Groups — a significant milestone in the enduring friendship and solidarity between communities in Australia and Timor-Leste. The first Friendship Groups were established in 2000 by three local councils in Victoria: Darebin, Moreland, and Port Phillip, as Friends of Baucau, Friends of Aileu, and Friends of Suai/Covalima. Today, there are 32 Friendship Groups across Australia. To celebrate our friendship, Friends of Baucau has written a short history of our friendship with our partners and communities in Baucau.