Australian War Memorial Logo
Search

Donate Today

  • Collection Open Information Close Information
    • Official Histories & Unit Diaries
    • Understanding the Collection
    • Research at the Memorial
    • Donating to the Collection
    • National Collection Loans
    • Projects
  • People
  • Visit
  • Commemorate Open Information Close Information
    • Last Post Ceremony
    • Honour Rolls
    • Anzac Day
    • Remembrance Day
    • Customs & Ceremony
    • Speeches
  • Learn Open Information Close Information
    • Schools & Teachers
    • Memorial Articles
    • Encyclopedia
    • Understanding Military Structure
    • Podcasts
    • Glossary
    • Magazine
  • Get Involved Open Information Close Information
    • Donations & Bequests
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer at the Memorial
    • Friends of the Memorial
    • eMemorial Newsletter
    • Grants, Scholarships & Residencies
    • Research Papers
  • Shop Open Information Close Information
    • Memorial Shop
    • Images, film and sound
    • Lone Pine Seedlings

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Visit
  3. Exhibitions
  4. Perspectives: Jon Cattapan and eX de Medici
  5. Perspectives: Jon Cattapan and eX de Medici

Main navigation

  • Other Exhibitions
  • Current Exhibitions
  • Past Exhibitions
  • Touring Exhibitions
  • Online Exhibitions

Perspectives: Jon Cattapan and eX de Medici

Timor–Leste

The Portuguese colony of East Timor (Timor–Leste) was invaded by Indonesia in 1975. After almost a quarter of a century of occupation characterised by violence in the territory, a new Indonesian government agreed to allow the East Timorese to vote on their future. A UN operation – the United Nations Mission in East Timor (Unamet) – was established to organise and conduct the referendum, which was held at the end of August 1999. It resulted in an overwhelming vote in favour of independence.

Tragically, once the result had been announced, pro-Indonesian militias launched a campaign of violence, looting, and arson throughout the entire territory. Many East Timorese were killed, and as many as 500,000 were displaced from their homes.

After several weeks of violence, Indonesia agreed to the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force. Australia organised and led the International Force East Timor (Interfet), a non-UN force operating with a UN mandate, whose objective was to restore peace and security, protect and support Unamet, and facilitate humanitarian assistance. Australia contributed over 5,500 personnel to what was the nation’s largest overseas deployment since the Vietnam War.

On 19 October 1999 Indonesia formally recognised the referendum result. Shortly afterwards, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (Untaet) was established as an integrated, multi-dimensional peacekeeping operation, fully responsible for the administration of East Timor during its transition to independence. Timor–Leste became a sovereign state on 20 May 2002, but has continued to receive assistance from the international community. At the request of the government of Timor-Leste Australia has continued to provide peacekeepers to assist in the maintenance of stability and the country’s development.

Peacekeeping and the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands gained independence in 1978, but over the next 20 years, the legacy of colonisation contributed to an increasingly unstable social, economic and political environment. Migration between island populations, land redistribution, and limited economic opportunities led to civil tension. This was made worse by foreign ownership of natural resources and the people’s lack of faith in a weak state administrative system vulnerable to corruption. Sporadic violence persisted, and in 1998 degenerated into civil war.

Engaged in the fighting were several militant groups, including the Isatabu Freedom Movement and the Malaita Eagle Force. Australia contributed to the International Peace Monitoring Team (IPMT), by sending personnel from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with support from the ADF. However, their presence did not quell the civil unrest and in 2003 the Solomon Islands government requested regional support.

An Australian-led peacekeeping operation, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (Ramsi), was formed from 15 Pacific nations. It includes a multinational Participating Police Force (PPF) and a military component (the Combined Task Force), with Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea currently contributing troops. The ADF component within Ramsi is called Operation Anode, although the multinational task force is referred to as Operation Helpem Fren (pidgin for “help a friend”). Its primary task is to provide support to the PPF, and to maintain law and order. The situation has improved since the arrival of Ramsi, but further violence after the 2006 election shows the continuing fragility of the Solomon Islands.

Intro

History

Jon Cattapan

eX de Medici

Tour info

Last updated: 3 February 2021

1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

Find out more
2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

Find out more
The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

Find out more
Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

Find out more
Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Location map of The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
View on Google Maps (opens in new window)
Google Map data ©2025 Google
Australian War Memorial Logo
  • Go to AWM Facebook
  • Go to AWM Trip Advisor
  • Go to AWM Instagram
  • Go to AWM Youtube

Footer

  • About
  • Contact
  • Venue Hire
  • Media
  • WM Magazine
  • Donate Today

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe

Legal

  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of information

Copyright 2025 Australian War Memorial, Canberra. All rights reserved