25th anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste

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  1. National Commemorative Service
  2. Seminar: The pathway to peace and solidarity: Australian service in Peace Operations
  3. Tales of Timor
  4. Resources

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National Commemorative Service

In 2024, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) marked the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste. 

On 20 September, a National Commemorative Service was held at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra. 

This anniversary provided the opportunity to honour and remember the service of all Australian men and women who served in Timor-Leste, and the sacrifice of their families. Tragically, six Australians lost their lives whilst deployed, or as a result of their service, in Timor-Leste.

Order of Service

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste publication cover

Download the Order of Service.

Broadcast of the service

The service was broadcast nationally by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), streamed online, and made available to other networks to provide all members of the community the opportunity to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste in a solemn and dignified manner from their home.

You can watch the service on the ABC’s iView. You can also watch the pre-service program on DVA’s YouTube channel.

A selection of images captured at the service are available on Flickr and on the Australian Government Defence Imagery webpage.

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Seminar: The pathway to peace and solidarity: Australian service in Peace Operations

A seminar was held at the Adams Auditorium, Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), in Canberra.

The seminar was hosted by the Repatriation Commissioner, Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, and delivered in two sessions; the first set the scene with academic overviews, followed by direct accounts from those who deployed on peace operations; and the second was more interactive, including facilitation of question and answer, discussion style panels.

The seminar highlighted the:

  • veteran experience in Timor-Leste and whilst deployed on peace operations;
  • ongoing connections and relationships established and strengthened with our allies; and
  • relationship between ADF and the AFP and how they worked together to achieve a common goal. 

Seminar program

The pathway to peace and solidarity: Australian service in peace operations program cover

Download the Program here. (PDF 5.7 MB)

Please note, Mr Adérito de Jesus Soares, Timor-Leste representative, and Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Mutu, Military Adviser New Zealand High Commission, were unable to attend at short notice, however their details still remain within the program.

Viewing the seminar

The seminar was livestreamed via Microsoft Teams. To watch a recording of the seminar on YouTube.

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Tales of Timor

DVA has curated a series of stories including personal experiences and reflections called The Tales of Timor. These stories are shared to recognise and commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australian men and women who served in Timor-Leste, and the sacrifice of their families.

Open Arms

Open Arms provides free mental health and wellbeing support to anyone who has served at least one day of continuous fulltime service in the ADF and their immediate families. Available at any time of the day or night, every day of the year.

 To find out more call 1800 011 046. 

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Resources

DVA continues to develop a range of commemorative and educational materials to further help recognise and remember those who served in Timor-Leste. 

To learn more about Australia's involvement in Timor-Leste please visit our Anzac Portal.

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Related pages

Mohammed Abdur Rahman

Mohammed Abdur Rahman , UNTAET ‘Operation Tanager’ East Timor 2000. Mohammed Abdur Rahman is an Australian Regular Army veteran who deployed as part of the United Nations Transitional Administration

Michael Maley

Photographer unknown. (1999). Michael Maley during his time as part of UNTAET. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword,’ may sound cliché, but it’s not a phrase to scoff at, as Michael Maley PSM saw it

Chantelle Bohan

Photographer unknown. (1999). Chantelle Bohan in United Nations truck. Chantelle Bohan joined Royal Australian Navy(RAN) as a Combat Systems Operator in 1997, specialising in sonar operation. After a

HMAS Jervis Bay (II)

Photographer unknown. (1999). A visit from Santa Claus in December 1999, courtesy of the Dili Express, provided a source of goodwill for ADF members and East Timorese nationals, during a difficult

Mark Kelly

Photographer unknown. (2023). Major General Mark Kelly, AO DSC. Defence Honours & Awards Appeals Tribunal. Major General Mark Kelly, AO DSC has a unique perspective on Australian service in Timor

Martin Ryan

Ramic, G. (1999). Martin and Australian Defence Force photographer Sergeant Gary Ramic walked through the battered streets of Suai, southwest of the capital Dili. RSL Victoria. As Martin Ryan and the

Luke Gosling

Luke Gosling OAM, MP reflects on 25 years of Australian service in Timor-Leste. Source: DVA TV interview, September 2024.

Dave Lassam

Photographer unknown. (1999). Dave Lassam aboard HMAS Kanimbla. Photograph sourced by Dave Lassam. As a medic, Tasmanian-raised Dave Lassam formed part of a 15 person Navy medical team on board HMAS

Dannielle Brearley

Photographer unknown. (2024). Dannielle Brearley, navy veteran. RSL Queensland (Service, smiles and Minties | Latest News | RSL Queensland (rslqld.org) Dannielle Brearley, of Bundaberg, joined the

Guy Warnock

Photographer unknown. (2003). Guy Warnock meeting with Joshua’s (Timorese family) in 2003. RSL Queensland (Honouring INTERFET | Latest News | RSL Queensland (rslqld.org) At 18 years old, Guy joined

Martin Hess

Hess, M. (1999). Dili United Nations Compound, 1999. Photograph sourced by Martin Hess. Martin Hess was one of the first Australian Federal Police (AFP) members deployed to East Timor, now Timor-Leste

Wendy Sharpe

Sharpe, W. (2000). A group of East Timorese children, Dili, East Timor. Australian War Memorial (East Timorese children | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au) There are many ways to express the

Jody Hillier

Photographer unknown. (1999). Royal Australian Air Force Logistics Officer, Jody Hillier (centre) in East Timor in 1999 as part of INTERFET deployment. Photograph sourced by Jody Hillier. Jody Hillier

Alison Creagh

Creagh, A. (1999). Australian peacekeepers at an orphanage in East Timor. Australian War Memorial. When Alison Creagh arrived in East Timor as a peacekeeper in 1999, the drive from the airport to Dili

Cheryl Pearce

Majors General Cheryl Pearce, AM, CSC, and Chris Smith, DSC, AM, CSC, sign a transfer of authority for the role of Deputy Chief of Army at Russell Offices in Canberra. In May 2002, When Timor-Leste

David McCammon

East Timorese locals watch the transition ceremony from INTERFET to UNTAET. Lieutenant Colonel David McCammon attended Officer Cadet School of New Zealand in 1997, graduating to the Royal Australian

Donald Barnby

Green, A. (1999) . Air evacuation of wounded Timorese by RNZAF helicopters. Defence Imagery. Donald Barnby has had an interesting career, serving both in the Army in the Vietnam War and then as an

Geoff Hazel

Photographer unknown. (1999). Geoff Hazel at official opening of Falantil cantonment. Photographer sourced by Geoff Hazel. In 1999, Vietnam veteran, federal police officer and experienced UN

Glen Braithwaite

Glen Braithwaite on the radio, on the extreme left of the landing craft, about to hit the beach at Suai, having launched from HMAS Tobruk. Photo: Courtesy Defence. Glen Braithwaite was sitting in a

International Stabilisation Force

Uniform patch : Stabilisation Force Timor Leste | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au). In 2006, following widespread violence and civil unrest in Timor-Leste, Australian personnel were deployed to

Matthew Robinson

Photographer unknown. (1999). Matthew Robinson first deployed to East Timor in September 1999 as part of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). Photograph sourced by Matthew Robinson

Rod Henderson

Photographer unknown. (1999). Rod Henderson on an observation post at Nefolete. Australian War Memorial. Rod Henderson thought he was going to die in East Timor when the man he was searching pulled

John George Sholl

Malone, P. (2000). Troops from 5/7 RAR prepare for the transition ceremony from INTERFET to UNTAET. Defence Imagery. In 1999, Major John George Sholl was serving as a member of the Army Intelligence

Steve Oddy

Guthrie, B. (1999). INTERFET East Timor 1999, 1JPAU Members. Defence Imagery. The experiences of Australians during peacekeeping missions have been many and varied. Australians have delivered

Brad Dunn

Photographer unknown. (1999). INTERFET East Timor 1999. Defence Imagery. Brad Dunn had always wanted to be in the Australian Army. As soon as he turned 17, he convinced his mum to sign the papers

Salvatore (Sam) Andaloro

Green, A. (1999). Troops talking to locals. Op Annondale was a patrol tin the mountains near Sua. Defence Imagery Salvatore (Sam) Andaloro’s story begins about a week after the first Australian forces

1st Australian Field Hospital

Photographer unknown. (1999). Captain Plummer, of 1st Australian Field Hospital with a local woman while on a health promotion tour of rural East Timor. Australian War Memorial. An often-overlooked

Sergeant’s sleeping quarters

Photographer unknown. (1999). A view of a sergeant's sleeping quarters in a headquarters unit of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). Australian War Memorial. While overseas away from

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