Coffey Advisors receive Timor Leste Solidarity Medal from President

The medal was awarded 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, said, "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 echoed 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 on the TLPDP team are now recipients of the Solidarity Medal of Timor-Leste, which is a great achievement.