The INTERFET Medal: A distinguished emblem of devotion and quest for harmony, commemorating the dedication and selflessness of individuals who participated in the multinational peacekeeping endeavour in East Timor. Read more..
The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) Medal is an Australian military campaign medal established in 2000 to recognize the service of Australian Defence Force (ADF) and certain other personnel who participated in the INTERFET multinational peacekeeping mission in East Timor. The mission took place from September 1999 to February 2000, with the goal of restoring peace and stability in the region following the violence and civil unrest that occurred after the East Timorese voted for independence from Indonesia. The INTERFET Medal honors the commitment, dedication, and sacrifice of those who served in this critical peacekeeping operation and acknowledges their efforts in the pursuit of peace and stability in East Timor.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the INTERFET Medal, personnel must have served in the designated operational area within East Timor or its adjacent waters and airspace between 16 September 1999 and 23 February 2000. The medal could be awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force, as well as certain civilians working directly for or in support of the military, such as civilian police and contractors. The minimum service requirement for the INTERFET Medal is 30 days of continuous service or 30 days of accumulated service within the qualifying period.
Design
The INTERFET Medal is a circular cast-metal medallion featuring an outlined map of East Timor, overlayed with a dove carrying an olive branch, and the words "INTERNATIONAL FORCE EAST TIMOR" circling the edge. The reverse of the medal is plain, with the words "TOGETHER AS ONE FOR PEACE IN EAST TIMOR" around the edge.
Ribbon
The ribbon of the INTERFET Medal features a central stripe of red, flanked by stripes of green, white, and light blue. The coloours represent the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with white representing peace. The green represents re-growth, and the red symbolises East Timors turbulent past.
The INTERFET Medal is a symbol of the service and sacrifice of Australian Defence Force personnel and other individuals who participated in the multinational peacekeeping mission in East Timor. It is a testament to their dedication and commitment in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region and serves as a reminder of their role in helping the East Timorese people during a challenging period in their history.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.
