Members of the Timor Leste Police Development Program (TLPDP) Advisory Team received the Timor Leste Solidarity Medal at a ceremony conducted at the Presidential Palace in Dili on Friday 25th March 2011.
The medal is in recognition of the work they have done within the Security Sector of Timor-Leste for their assistance to the AFP in capacity building within the Secretary of State for Security and the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste.
The Solidarity Medal of Timor-Leste was introduced by the President of East Timor in 2008 in recognition of forces involved in the contribution to stability and peace operations in Timor-Leste, it was further extended to civilian staff working within the Security Sector in recognition of their services in providing peace and security through capacity building.
Medal recipient Police Human Resources Adviser Lynne Geddes says it's particularly moving to be among the few civilian recipients of the medal, as normally the medal is usually awarded to Defence Force and Police personnel.
Fellow recipient Infrastructure Adviser Murray Connor echoes her views saying it's a privilege to receive the honour in recognition of the work undertaken by civilian personnel in Timor Leste.
The recipients of the medal are:
- Lynne Geddes
- Dorothy Jenner
- Murray Connor
- Edward Irvine
- Louise Cook-Tonkin
They now join the other team members below who received their medals in a ceremony in 2009:
- Ray Murray
- Maria Bernardino
- Sergio Silva
- Carla Carascalao-Gomes
All international advisers of the GJS TLPDP team are now recipients of the Solidarity Medal of Timor-Leste, which makes it a very special team.
