DILI, 07 may 2024 (TATOLI) – Members of the Parliament from the CNRT and FRETILIN benches, today, expressed their condolences on the death of Helen Mary Hill at the Caritas Christi Hospice in Melbourne, Australia.
FRETILIN MP, Nurima Alkatiri said she was saddened by Helen Mary Hill’s death: “We have received the news of the death of our friend Helen Mary Hill. We will always remember her invaluable contribution and tireless commitment to Timor-Leste. We pay tribute to her memory and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family.”
CNRT MP, Natalino dos Santos, highlighted Helen Hill’s contribution to journalism, especially in disseminating news about Timor-Leste abroad: “We pay a heartfelt tribute and send our deepest condolences to Helen Hill’s family.”
Helen Mary Hill was a pioneer of Australia-Timor-Leste solidarity, first visiting Timor-Leste in 1975.
Hill’s publication ‘The Timor Story’ (1976) was one of the first academic works to alert the world to Timor-Leste’s desire for self-determination and to the unfolding predicament of the East Timorese people under occupation, according to Timor-Leste Studies Association (TLSA).
Hill remained one of the relatively few Australian academic voices to speak consistently and openly in support of the East Timorese right to self-determination through the 1970s and 1980s.
She has lived mostly in Timor-Leste since retiring in 2012. She was the president of the Australia East Timor Association from 1999 to 2014. She has done several consultancies for the National University of Timor-Lorosa’e, the Ministry of Education, the Human Capital Development Fund, and the United Nations Development Program.
She was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste by the President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak, in 2014, in recognition of her contribution to the country.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
