From the 26th to 29th April, the General Prior, Fr. Fernando Millán, O. Carm. accompanied by Fr. Alberto Herwanta, O. Carm., Councillor General for Asia, Australia and Oceania, participated at the Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor. Making the most of his visit to Australia, he inaugurated a new chapel for the Carmelite College (Whitefriar's College) in Donvale and blessed a statue of the Prophet Elijah, the work of a well-known Australian artist, Louis Laumen. The statue stands at the entrance to the chapel. This event marked the beginning of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of this highly respected Carmelite school.

Later, accompanied by the Regional Prior for East Timor, Fr. Augusto Sampaio, O. Carm., the Prior General and Fr. Albertus visited the various Carmelite communities in East Timor as well as the communities of Carmelite Sisters (HVMMC) who began work there almost forty years ago. They also visited the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of Hera and met His Excellency, Don Norberto do Amaral, bishop of the new Diocese of Maliana. On the 8th of May the Prior General opened the new student house in Hera, which together with the novitiate of St. Elias, the postulants house at Fatuhada (Dili) and the parish of Zumalai ensure a promising presence for the Carmelites in this Asiatic country.