DILI, 16 january 2023 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, on behalf of the whole nation, presents its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Shirley Shackleton, the widow of the journalist Greg Shackleton, one of the journalists known as the Balibo Five, killed by Indonesian forces in Balibo, on the 16th of October 1975.
“It is with great sadness that the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste received the news of the death of Shirley Shackleton, widow of journalist Greg Shackleton,” said in a statement released, today.
Shirley Shackleton passed away on january 15, in Melbourne, Australia after a prolonged illness. She was born on 26 december 1931, in Plympton, Adelaide, Australia.
After Greg Shackleton’s death, Shirley spent the rest of her life fighting for Timor-Leste’s self-determination and justice for the five journalists.
She was the director of the Balibo House Trust, an organization responsible for establishing the restoration of the Australian Flag House, through various social projects in Balibo to honor the memory of the five journalists – Greg Shackleton, Tony Stewart, Malcolm Rennie, Brian Peters, and Gary Cunningham.
In 2010, she wrote a book called ” The Circle of Silence: A Personal Testimony Before, During, and After Balibo”.
In 2013, in recognition of her significant contribution to the benefit of Timor-Leste and the Timorese people, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste.
Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, expressed his deep condolences to the family of the late Shirley Shackleton: “Her loss is also a loss for Timor-Leste.”
The spokesperson for the VIII Constitutional Government, Minister Fidelis Magalhães, on behalf of the Government and the Timorese people, presented condolences to the family and friends of Shirley Shackleton.
He said Shirley’s voice in defending Timorese people and her warm friendship will never be forgotten,” said Magalhaes.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
