On 16 March 2026, Dr Bernadette Tobin AO GCSG formally presented her Letter of Credence to His Excellency President José Ramos-Horta, together with the Letter of Recall of the previous Ambassador, Mr Terence Tobin KC GCSG.

Dr Tobin was one of eight non-resident Ambassadors to present their credentials on the day, alongside representatives from Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Serbia and Spain, most of whom are resident in Indonesia. (The Ambassador of Kuwait was unable to attend.)

In presenting her Letter of Credence, Ambassador Tobin conveyed the warmest greetings of the Grand Master and Sovereign Council of the Order of Malta in Rome. She reflected on the contrast between the youth of Timor-Leste as a sovereign nation and the long history of the Order of Malta as a sovereign and independent entity dedicated to serving the poor and the sick. She also acknowledged His Excellency’s personal support for the work of the Order in Timor-Leste.

Ambassador Tobin highlighted the work of the Order’s Medical Clinic and Outreach Program, which delivers regular medical care to mothers and newborns in remote communities identified by the Department of Health. Through these initiatives, the Order seeks to contribute to His Excellency’s vision to “build bridges, inspire hope and strengthen human dignity” for the people of Timor-Leste.

She concluded by expressing her honour in following in the footsteps of her predecessors, particularly her husband, Mr Terence Tobin.