Woven cotton with fringe at each end, blue and white striped with red and white stripe in centre with woven lettering ‘BELUN ERMERA’ in the centre. Tais cloth is a traditional form of weaving in East Timor, created by women. Tais is significant to the cultural heritage and daily life of the nation, being used in ceremonial events, to signify respect and appreciation towards guests, friends and relatives, and for more general use in the home and for personal wear.

In 2004, the City of Casey established a friendship link with Ermera in East Timor. A formal Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation between the City of Casey and the District of Ermera. In entering the agreement, the City of Casey sought to assist in the rebuilding of Ermera and facilitate community-to-community links with Ermera.

Like most other districts in East Timor, Ermera suffered terrible destruction of life and property at the time of the independence vote in August 1999. A humanitarian need arose for neighbouring communities to step forward and provide assistance.
Casey has a large East Timorese community and many refugees from the Ermera district have settled in Casey.

The Friends of Ermera, a community-based group of concerned citizens of the City of Casey, formed in 2002 with the aim of helping the people of Ermera to rebuild their lives and communities. The primary focus is the provision of education and training throughout the District and to respond to the needs and priorities of Ermera. Projects and programs to build the skills of the people of Ermera include school and kindergarten building, youth leadership programs, Casey-Ermera community radio, Casey-Ermera friendship schools, water supply rehabilitation, teacher training, scholarship programs and women’s groups.