History
The Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal was established by the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in 2009 to recognise the men and women who supported peace and stability operations in the young nation. In November 2008 the Australian Government accepted the offer for Australian Defence Force personnel and Australian Federal Police officers to wear it, at first for service from 2006 on the International Stabilisation Force under Operation Astute.
The President of Timor-Leste later expanded the eligibility to recognise a broader group of Australians, and it is now open to those who served on mandated missions in Timor-Leste since 1999, taking in the Australian-led INTERFET intervention and the missions that followed. The medal is not issued to individuals by Timor-Leste; eligible Australians obtain it from a medals dealer, and it is worn on the left breast among their foreign awards.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is a circular silver medal, thirty eight millimetres across, with a raised rim. The obverse shows the map of Timor-Leste, encircled by the inscription TIMOR-LESTE above and SOLIDARIEDADE below. The reverse bears the coat of arms of Timor-Leste, with REPUBLICA DEMOCRATICA DE TIMOR-LESTE arching above and the letters RDTL below.
The ribbon
The national colours of Timor-Leste, yellow, white, black and red.
The ribbon reflects the flag of Timor-Leste, with a narrow central yellow stripe flanked by white, black and red. No clasps or bars were issued.
Eligibility
The medal recognises service on peace and stability operations in Timor-Leste.
- It is awarded to military and police personnel who served on a mandated mission, or a recognised bilateral support mission, in Timor-Leste;
- Australia accepted it for Defence Force personnel and Australian Federal Police officers in 2008;
- Eligibility was later expanded to service of thirty days or more since 1999, taking in INTERFET and the missions that followed;
- The medal is not issued to individuals by Timor-Leste, and is obtained from a medals dealer;
- As a foreign award it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing after Australian and Commonwealth honours.
Order of wear
In the Australian Order of Wearing, foreign awards are worn after Australian honours and Commonwealth awards, in the order set for foreign awards, generally by the date of the service for which they were given. A foreign award is worn only where its acceptance and wear have been approved.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal?
A foreign award from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, recognising the men and women who supported peace and stability operations in the young nation.
When did Australia accept it?
In November 2008, for Australian Defence Force personnel and Australian Federal Police officers, at first for service on the International Stabilisation Force from 2006.
Who is eligible now?
The eligibility was expanded to those who served on mandated missions in Timor-Leste for thirty days or more since 1999, taking in the INTERFET intervention and the missions that followed.
Does Timor-Leste issue the medal?
No. The medal is not issued to individuals by Timor-Leste, and eligible Australians obtain it from a medals dealer.
What does the medal show?
A silver medal bearing the map of Timor-Leste with the words TIMOR-LESTE and SOLIDARIEDADE on the obverse, and the coat of arms of Timor-Leste on the reverse.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a foreign award it is worn on the left breast after Australian and Commonwealth honours, in the order set for foreign awards.