International News

Talking the talk, music to our ears Language Class (MPEG video 5.33 MB) Students receive certificates of recognition. Photos by Sgt Mark Dowling, 1JPAU   Graduates and instructors of the English language course of 2004. AUSTRALIA’S commitment to East Timor is continuing with the graduation of the latest class of East Timor Defence Force (ETDF) personnel from the Australian Defence Cooperation Program’s (DCP) English language course in Metinaro, near Dili. The 10 ETDF personnel graduated from the DCP-sponsored intensive 16-month course late last month. The importance of the event was underscored by the attendance at the graduation of some of the nation’s senior leaders, including the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Roque Rodrigues, and the Chief of the East Timorese Defence Force, Brig-Gen Taur Matan Ruak. Displaying proficiency and confidence in their newly acquired language, the graduates broke with tradition and conducted the ceremony in English, with speeches translated into their native language, tetun, for the audience. The graduates performed a range of traditional East Timorese songs as well as Waltzing Matilda in recognition of Australia’s ongoing support. “The course was a demanding one with the graduates having learnt the equivalent of three to four years of education in just 16 months,” the Australian senior instructor and course co-ordinator, Leut-Cmdr Stuart Abson, said. East Timorese CDF, Brig-Gen Taur Matan Ruak, said the graduates should be proud of their achievement. He paid tribute to the dedication and commitment of the soldiers before reminding them of the importance of using their new skills for the future development of the ETDF and East Timor. The DCP has worked with the ETDF since 2001, with a number of key milestones including building training facilities like the English Learning Training Centre where the recent graduates conducted their training. The DCP has 27 ADF personnel providing specialist support to the ETDF.