Dili, October 3, 2026 — The Minister of Education, Dr. Dulce de Jesus Soares—accompanied by the family of Dr. Helen Hill, as well as former scholarship recipients and Timorese students who pursued their studies in Australia with her support—attended a memorial mass and the unveiling of a monument in honor of Dr. Helen Hill at the Santa Cruz Cemetery in Dili this Saturday.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Education paid tribute to Dr. Helen Hill’s dedication and commitment to Timor-Leste, particularly in the field of education. She highlighted Dr. Hill’s contributions toward raising international awareness of the cause and reality of the Timorese people, as well as her role in the development of education within the country.
Dr. Helen Hill is recognized for her long-standing solidarity with Timor-Leste and her support for self-determination, education, and community development. An academic, activist, and friend to Timor-Leste, she passed away in Australia on May 7, 2024.
Throughout her life, Helen Hill left an enduring legacy of solidarity and advocacy for education. Her contributions include, among others:
- A pioneer in international solidarity: She first visited Dili in early 1975. Following the Indonesian invasion of Timor-Leste, she published The Timor Story in 1976—a work considered one of the first academic texts to bring international visibility to the suffering of the Timorese people and their struggle for the right to self-determination and independence. – Founder and facilitator of charitable organizations: she participated in the creation of the Australia-East Timor Association (AETA) in 1975 and the Timor-Leste Studies Association (TLSA) in 2005, contributing to the strengthening of international solidarity with and knowledge about Timor-Leste.
- Academic and mentor: as a lecturer at Victoria University and a visiting professor at the National University of East Timor (UNTL), she contributed to the education and development of numerous generations of Timorese students.
- State honor: in recognition of her commitment and contributions to Timor-Leste, she was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste by the Timorese state in 2014.
The unveiling of the monument dedicated to Dr. Helen Hill serves, therefore, as a tribute to her memory and the legacy she left for Timor-Leste, particularly in the fields of education, international solidarity, and community development.
