Helen Kenneally

Thank you Geoff. This is an important contribution. I do hope it might be possible for the Association to express concern about this action by Minister Porter. The actions by our government in 2004 brought no credit to our country and compromised the deep ties of friendship between the people of Timor Leste and Australia. A just outcome has been achieved in finalising the maritime boundary between Australia and Timor Leste. It is now time to deepen and strengthen the people to people and government to government relationships.

Hello Ed. I have just read with great interest, admiration and jealousy the report of your trip. Just wonderful thank you so much. I have passed onto to the Cunningham family of the Balibo Five - I am very confident the flag was drawn by the Australians but has been reproduced in some way. Also, a wonderful idea to have David Waller and Arthur Yeate linked to the small memorial to Stuart “Monsta” Jones at Nunutana. I am thrilled that Michael Stone could join you all. Ed like you, Mick has a deep sense of history and of course his Tetum and his excellent sense of the narrative would have been a wonderful addition to the tour. I note the recommendations in the report. They are great, and in my view, provide some strategic direction for use of Association funds moving forward. It would be good to circulate them in a special edition of the Courier and get input from the broader membership about how they could be progressed. I also recommended asking Ambassador Guterres to meet with the committee and advise Ines Almedia Liaison Officer for Veterans Affairs Office of Prime Minister. Working together many things can get done. I am happy to discuss options with you. Again Ed many thanks – fantastic work. Best regards Helen

In the context of the recent welcome announcement by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, this new book by Kim McGrath is an important evidence based contribution to the discussions on Maritime Boundaries between Australia and Timor Leste. Kim McGrath has trawled the national archives to produce the smoking gun on Australia’s callous betrayal of the people who supported our commandos in World War II, and on the immoral and unlawful appropriation of their oil.’ —Paul Cleary A great read see: https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/crossing-line

Great Work Ed. Thank you. I remember reading the Courier report of this ceremony and it was very moving. It would be great to add this to these pictures. It had the main speeches transcribed including Bill Epps' speech.

Members might be interested in a crowd funding campaign to build a high school in the remote village of Soibodia being organised by Tamara Sloper Harding from the Pittwater Friends of Soibada Inc. The school is specifically to honour the memory of the Australian Diggers including the men of the 2/2nd commando association who were befriended by the Timorese in WW2. See https://chuffed.org/project/help-tamara-honour-aussie-debt-to-the-timorese-with-education

Members of the Australian Military participated in the funeral service for Snr Tilman (RIP) the Garden of Heroes Cemetery in Metinaro. Thank you Rob for the reference to Snr Tilman in the 1993 Courier . I will make sure this is passed onto his family.

Fantastic initiative. Could I also suggest that this be copied to Dr Brendan Nelson at the AWM and to the leader of the Opposition and relevant Shadow Minister - probably Penny Wong. With thanks Helen Kenneally

Sorry John I had missed this post. Clearly a very positive response to this exhibition. With regards Helen Kenneally

Thank you Edward Willis I have really enjoyed reading these contributions. Regards Helen Kenneally

Another thoughtful article on the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision by Father Frank Brennan Another win for 'David' Timor against 'Goliath' Australia - Eureka Street.html

The Conciliation Commission issued its Decision on Competence on the 19th of September and it was made public today. The Permanent Court of Arbitration put out a Press Release announcing that "In its Decision, the Commission held that it was competent to continue with the conciliation process.”

A thoughtful article by Paul Cleary who wrote the "Men who came out of the Ground" https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=49814#.V8T248QmLCQ Australia would do well to take note.

It is possible to view the proceedings from The Hague regarding compulsory Conciliation between Timor Leste and Australia on Monday 29 August beginning at 5:30 pm (Eastern Standard Time) https://pca-cpa.org/en/news/timor-leste-australia/ Timor Leste is the first country to trigger compulsory conciliation under the UN's Convention on the law of the sea (UNCLOS) and the case could set a precedent that could be applied elswhere. See also http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-28/east-timor-australia-maritime-border-to-be-negotiated-the-hague/7791778