Seminar: The pathway to peace and solidarity: Australian service in Peace Operations
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Background
In 2024, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) marked the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste. On 17 September, a seminar was held at the Adams Auditorium, Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), in Canberra.
The majority of Australian service in Timor-Leste spanned between 1999 and 2013 and encompassed Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) personnel, as well as civilians. A number of Australians have continued to serve after 2013, with ongoing efforts still in effect to this day.
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.
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.
Program
Download the Program here. (PDF 5.7 MB)
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.
Please note, Mr Adérito de Jesus Soares, Timor-Leste representative, and Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Mutu, Miltary Adviser New Zealand High Commission, were unable to attend at short notice, however their details still remain within the program.
Back to topViewing the Seminar
The seminar was livestreamed via Microsoft Teams. To watch a recording of the seminar, please click here.
| Session times | Speaker | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 0:01:08-0:05:54 | Mr Kahlil Fegan DSC AM | Repatriation Commissioner |
| 0:05:54-0:39:27 | Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Retd) | Former Chief of Army 2002–2008 |
| 0:39:29-1:16:14 | Dr Tom Richardson | Lecturer UNSW Canberra |
| 1:16:18-1:55:08 | Mr Michael Maley PSM | Former Director, Australian Electoral Commission’s Research and International Services Section |
| 1:55:09-2:35:36 | Mr David Savage AM | President, Australian Federal Police Veterans Association |
| 2:35:38-3:01:27 | Major General Paul Symon AO (Retd) | Appointed as Australia’s senior military officer to the United Nations (UN) Special Representative in Timor-Leste |
| 3:01:28-3:32:36 | Break | |
| Cheryl Pearce: Stories of Service - Anzac Portal | Major General Cheryl Pearce AM CSC | Acting Military Adviser, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UN |
| 3:34:54-4:04:00 | Warrant Officer Class One Trudy Casey OAM | Regimental Sergeant Major, 2nd (Australian) Division |
| 4:04:04-4:34:57 | Colonel Luke Foster AM CSC CSM (Retd) | Commander International Stabilisation Force (ISF) 2011–2012 |
| 4:34:59-5:35:31 | In Conversation | |
The Honourable John Howard OM AC | Former Prime Minister of Australia | |
General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) | Commander International Force East Timor (INTERFET) | |
| 5:35:50-6:02:10 | Q&A/Discussion panel: | |
Chief Petty Officer Electronics Technician Michael Mackenzie | Royal Australian Navy | |
Warrant Officer Class Two Jason Thackeray | Australian Army | |
Warrant Officer Chris Watkins CSC | Royal Australian Air Force | |
| Mr David Savage AM | Australian Federal Police | |
| 6:02:17-6:24:08 | Brigadier Nigel Best OBE | Defence and Military Adviser to the British High Commission |
| 6:24:10-6:28:49 | Ms Alison Frame | Secretary, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) |
Contact information
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Phone: 1800 838 372 within Australia
Tel: +61 2 6289 1133 from outside Australia
Email: Commemorative.Events [at] dva.gov.au (Commemorative[dot]Events[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au)