Image Gallery 2008
10 October 2008
Ramos-Horta presents soldiers with Australian Service Medal
President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta was the official guest of honour at the farewell parade for the last contingent of East-Timor Battle Group 4 (ETBG 4) troops, prior to their return to Australia.
The President took part in the medal ceremony and also presented three Joint Task Force 631 Commendations.
The President also honoured ETBG 4 with a Timorese tais, as a token of his appreciation for the efforts of the Battle Group during their deployment.
At the end of the parade, the President gave a congratulatory speech, saying, "The Australian relationship is of extreme importance to Timor-Leste.
"In 2006, we went to our friends for assistance and you promptly came. Your behaviour in Timor-Leste and that of your New Zealand cousins has been irreproachable.
"You can leave Timor-Leste leaving behind a country more peaceful and stabilised - there are smiles on peoples faces that were not there in 2006.
"Wherever you go, enjoy your families and continue to serve," Mr Ramos-Horta said.
The President reminded soldiers that after he was shot on 11 Febraury 2008 he received a great quantity of Australian soldiers' blood, now making him part-Australian.
Before he departed the President enjoyed a barbecue dinner in the company of the men and women of ETBG 4.
| 20081009adf8161479_008 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, is met by Commander of the International Stabilisation Force, Brigardier Mark Holmes, before presenting medals to Australian troops at the Timor lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_018 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, chats to Commander of the International Stabilisation Force, Brigardier Mark Holmes, before presenting medals to Australian troops. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_058 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, awards Private Joshua Finley his Australian Service Medal during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_063 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, awards Private Nathaniel Montalla his Australian Service Medal during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_065 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, awards soldiers their Australian Service Medals during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_069 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, awards soldiers their Australian Service Medals during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_100 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, awards Private Aaron Reece his Australian Service Medal during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_147 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, awards Corporal John Galpin his Australian Service Medal, during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_166 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, awards Lieutenant Michael Corkran a Joint Task Force 631 Commendation, during a medal presention ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_187 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, speaks after presenting Australian Soldiers their Australia Service Medals, during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8161479_199 President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, wraps a Timorese tias over Major Marcus Beckett's shoulders, during a medal presenting ceremony at Timor Lodge, Dili. (Date taken: 09 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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