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Order Of Malta Australia

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Order of Malta attends the commemoration the 25th Anniversary of the deployment of the International Force East Timor in Dili

20/09/2024 


Pictured: Ambassador Terrance Tobin lays a wreath of remembrance at the 25th Anniversary of the deployment of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in Dili on September 14 2024.

Report by Noel Mifsud.

Members of the Order of Malta Australia attended the commemoration the 25th Anniversary of the deployment of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in Dili in September 2024

INTERFET was an Australian-led multinational peacekeeping task force, authorised through a United Nations Security Council Resolution, to assist with restoring peace and security in Timor-Leste. When the Timorese people took the courageous step of voting for independence in 1999 and asked the international community for help to secure their nation, Australia answered. INTERFET continues to symbolise the importance of international partners working together in support of a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region. Australia is proud to be Timor-Leste’s largest development and security partner and we remain close friends

The Order of Malta Ambassador to Timor Leste Terrance Tobin and wife Bernadette attended the Timor-Leste Presidential Palace for a lecture series and reception held at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace. Speakers included President José Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and international guests. The lectures centered on the topic  “Configuring INTERFET intervention: The case of Timor-Leste”.

On September 14th Ambassador Tobin and wife Bernadette were joined by National President the Hon James Douglas and wife Margaret and I for a parade from the Port of Dili to the Presidential Palace. General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) who  led INTERFET from 1999-2000  spoke eloquently at the parade of the sacrifice of lives lost by the people of Timor- Leste and the soldiers he led. We then attended a private and very moving, blessing of an INTERFET Memorial, located on the former heliport used by the peacekeeping force.

The Order’s participation in the 25th anniversary of East Timor INTERFET provides a humbling reminder of the ongoing call to pray and work for peace across the globe.

The Australian Association

The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.