Yass and Timor-Leste veterans join forces to commemorate 102nd anniversary of Anzac Day

As well as commemorations of Anzac Day, the delegates met members of the Yass veterans community and visited organisations in veteran care.

The majority of the veterans were members of Falintil, the Armed Forces for the National Liberation of Timor-Leste, who fought in the mountains of Timor for 24 years.

They are part of a larger group visiting Australia. They met with members of the RSL and Dr Mike Kelly MP on Monday night for dinner. Dr Kelly, who was deployed to Timor in his army days, participated in the Anzac commemorations with them.

“We have this very close relationship with East Timor that goes back to World War Two when both sides made so many sacrifices,” he said.

“The continuing relationship we’ve had with East Timor through its trials and tribulations has been strengthened over the years.”

Dr Kelly recalled his services in the nation. “I served in Dili for nine months as part of InterFET. A lot of my career has been spent with East Timorese issues.”

He said the 102nd anniversay of Anzac Day was a wonderful opportunity to keep alive the deeper relationships and to remember the sacrifice and support from both sides.

“I always look forward to dawn service; it’s always a very emotional moment and wonderful to see the commitment that community members make to attend,” he said.

Minister of State Agio Pereira, spokesperson for the Timor-Leste delegation, said the visit “...builds on a friendship reaching back to the Second World War when the Timorese at great cost assisted Australian commandos”.

Delegations were based in Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane with visits to Townsville and Yass.

It was the fourth visit aiming to build on the warm friendship between the veterans of both nations.