Timor Leste Solidarity Medal

Background

In November 2008, the Australian Government formally accepted an offer from the East Timor President HE José Ramos-Horta for Australian Defence Force Personnel to formally accept and wear the East Timor Solidarity Medal in relation to service in stability and peace operations in East Timor from 1 May 2006.  Defence civilians who contributed to operations may also be eligible.

Qualifying Criteria

The East Timorese Solidarity Medal was introduced by the President of East Timor in recognition of forces involved in the contribution to stability and peace operations in East Timor.  The commencement date is 1 May 2006 and qualification for the medal is:

1. Having served a minimum of 180 days continuous or accrued service in East Timor from 1 May 2006; or
2. Nominations will be considered for personnel that have served a minimum of 120 days from 1 May 06; or
3. Nominations will be considered for personnel who served with a start date in May or June 2006 for a period at least 90 days; or
4. The President of the Republic may consider extra-ordinary cases outside the above time-periods. Applications for extra-ordinary cases must be endorsed and submitted through the Directorate of Honours and Awards, to be considered and approved by the President of the Republic. However, service may still only count from 1 May 2006.

The qualifying period is not required in the event of death in service in East Timor

Eligibility

On 17 June 2009, the Chief of the Defence Force agreed to specific eligibility criteria for members within the Australian Defence Organisation as follows:

• Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel assigned for service as part of the ADF contribution in East Timor;
• ADF personnel involved in Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) activities in East Timor;
• Defence civilians who serve in East Timor under the auspices of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (DFDA);
• ADF personnel assigned to OP TOWER are already eligible for the United Nations Mission in Timor medal (UNMIT).  However, given the policy that two foreign operational awards are not normally approved for acceptance and wearing for the same service, eligible personnel will have the option of choosing which medal they might formally wear on an unrestricted basis; and
• Defence Attaché staff who are awarded the medal will only be able to accept the medal as a memento of their service.  Approval will not be given for Defence Attaché staff to formally wear the medal.

When will the Medal be available?

On 21 May 2009, the Office of the President formally commenced awarding ADF personnel in-country with the East Timor Solidarity Medal. 

For eligible serving ADF personnel who have returned to Australia since 1 May 2006, medals will be forwarded through their units.

What if I am eligible but have not received the medal?

If a serving ADF member believes that they are entitled to the East Timor Solidarity Medal but they have not received it, they should apply for the medal to DH&A using the Application for Approval to Accept and Wear Foreign Awards (AD111), which can be found at the link below:

Application for Approval to Accept and Wear Foreign Awards (AD111)

What if I have discharged?

For discharged personnel, application may also be made to DH&A using the Application for Approval to Accept and Wear Foreign Awards (AD111), as above.

Inscription and Supply of Medals

The East Timor Solidarity Medal is supplied by the East Timor Government for presentation to eligible personnel. It is not inscribed with an individual's service details.

Awards are issued in a presentation case consisting of a medal, a miniature medal and a ribbon bar.  Additional ribbon is provided in each boxed set for mounting purposes.

Order of Wear

Members are only entitled to wear an award once it appears on PMKeyS with an approval date.

What if I attend an official function before I receive approval to wear my medal?

The East Timor Solidarity Medal cannot be mounted or worn until individual approval has been given by the Governor-General.  However, if the member is attending an official function where dignitaries of the country are present, then the member may wear the medal on a restricted basis (ie, on the right breast).

How do I obtain a replacement medal if it is lost or damaged?

The East Timor Solidarity Medal is a foreign award and, as such, is not replaced at public expense.  Replacements may be purchased from reputable medals dealers, which can be found in the Yellow Pages.

Further information

ADF members are not to contact the East Timorese Government directly concerning their eligiblity to the Solidarity Medal.  All enquiries are to be made to the Directorate of Honours and Awards.

If you need any more information please contact the Directorate on 1800 111 321.

Web page last updated 29 June 2009