COMMEMORATING A FRIENDSHIP BORN IN ADVERSITY

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today joined the Timor Leste President, Jose Ramos-Horta, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Australians and East Timorese during the struggle against the Japanese in Timor during World War II.

Mr Snowdon attended the official opening of the Dare Memorial Museum and Café, and the Fatunaba Memorial Primary School, built on the site of the original Dare memorial presented by the 2/2nd Independent Company to the Timorese in 1969, to recognise and thank them for their incredible bravery and service in 1942.

He said the great loyalty, friendship and sacrifice made by the East Timorese in helping Australia against the Japanese during WWII should be remembered by our nation.

“In March 1942, 2/2 Independent Company, who were deployed to East Timor, began what amounted to almost a year-long guerrilla war against the invading Japanese Force,” Mr Snowdon said.

“The 300 or so Australians, reinforced in September by 2/4^th Independent Company, inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese.

“It was an effort of endurance and courage that would have been utterly impossible without the support of the Timorese people.

“Reprisals by the Japanese on the East Timorese were fierce, however, and over 40,000 Timorese people lost their lives in WWII.”

Mr Snowdon congratulated Kirsty Sword-Gusmao and all those whose hard work had made the museum, café and new school a reality.

“My good friend and 2/2^nd veteran, Paddy Kenneally, would be proud to see the museum and school that stands in memory of how East Timor served Australia.

“Paddy was here at Anzac Day only last year and sadly passed away in March, but his love for Timor and the enduring bonds of friendship born in WWII’s struggle and sacrifice lives on, not only on the walls of the museum, but in the children who attend the memorial school.

“Lest we forget.”

Media note: Imagery is available at www.defence.gov.au/media/download.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):         02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664