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Press Release
Note of Condolence on the death of Jill Jolliffe
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has received with great consternation and sorrow the news of the passing away of Jill Jolliffe, an Australian journalist who has dedicated a large part of her life to following Timor-Leste’s struggle for national liberation.
Jill Jolliffe passed away yesterday, December 2nd, from cardiac failure.
The journalist witnessed the first incursions of the Indonesian troops into Timor-Leste in September 1975 and reported the deaths of the five journalists in Balibo.
In 1978, she published his first book “East Timor: Nationalism and Colonialism”.
In 1994, she ventured into the mountains of Timor-Leste, coming from Indonesia, to meet the guerrilla leader Nino Konis Santana. She was captured by the Indonesian military, but nevertheless, she managed to complete her documentary “Blackade”.
In 1998, she won the Logie Award for the documentary “Death in Balibo”, about the death of the five journalists killed in Balibó.
She was a correspondent for the Nation Review, Reuters, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and the BBC.
On September 20th, 2014, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Solidarity of Timor-Leste, as a symbol of gratitude and acknowledgement for her contribution to the Timorese cause.
The Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, on behalf of all the Timorese People, presents his “condolences to Jill Jolliffe’s family and the acknowledgements of a nation forever grateful.”
The Spokesperson for the Government, Minister Fidelis Magalhães, stated that Jill Jolliffe will never be forgotten in Timor-Leste and will forever be remembered with great affection, admiration and respect. At this moment of sorrow, we mourn her passing but celebrate her contribution. END