EAST TIMOR 1999-2002
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Kieron Sullivan - his dug out hole in Balibo, East Timor 1999
Kieron Sullivan was deployed to East Timor in 1999 and 2001. He participated in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) drug trials, anti-malaria drugs Mefloquine and Tafenoquine, which were given to about 5000 Australian soldiers – predominantly Townsville soldiers from the 1st and 2nd Battalion – in separate trials between 1999 and 2002.
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Kieron Sullivan is front right Balibo, East Timor 1999
Hundreds of Australian veterans have been diagnosed with serious neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Kieron Sullivan's unit was based in Balibo, East Timor.
The Balibo Five were a group pf Australian Journalists, that were executed in Balibo, 16 October 1975.
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RECOMMENDED READ:
A Dirty Little War by John Martinkus
The Domestic Violence became predominant after Kieron Sullivan’s first deployment to East Timor, 20 September 1999, and he is still abusing me 20 years later.
When Kieron Sullivan returned from his first deployment, I barely recognized him.
He had lost nearly 25 kgs, and mentally, he was never the same.
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Out in the field around Balibo 1999 - Kieron is in the middle
Before his deployment we were supposed to get married, it was 2 weeks out from the wedding. We had guests traveling from overseas, and all the final plans had been made.
I was left to postpone everything, with no future date in mind.
When he returned from East Timor three months later, we rebooked the wedding for 01 July 2000.
Many of our overseas friends who initially was going to come, never made it to our actual wedding.
What saddens me now, is that I have lost contact with everyone who attended our wedding.
On another note: We had the BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!!!
Our photographer was John de Rooy, AIPP Professional Accredited Photographer. He provided us with the utmost in professional service, the highest quality photographs, a beautiful Wedding Album, & framed wall prints. Sadly, I had to throw everything away. Homeless people can't keep everything!
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When Kieron left Mexico, he didn't take much.
He did take the original wedding certificate.
ALCOHOL and DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Kieron became a heavy drinker and the domestic violence worsened when he returned from East Timor in 2000. A highlight was just before our wedding, I was with my best friend two nights before the wedding at our house, and he became so threatening that we had to both lock ourselves in the main bedroom and push furniture against the door to prevent him from coming in.
After yelling abuse and trying to bash down the door he gave up and fell asleep in one of the spare bedrooms. This became a regular occurrence throughout our entire marriage, sleeping in separate rooms because we couldn't talk to each other. He had no patience and constantly needed time to himself. It was something I got use to, and in the end, I much preferred it that way.
I did not want to go through the the wedding at that stage, but he apologized the next day and of course, I forgave me. I wasn't up for canceling a wedding one day prior.
I guess I just hoped for the best!
Well, we all know how that turned out!!!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
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More photos to follow.
The quality is poor.
I photographed prints using my Google Pixel 3.
I don't have the money or the resources to get these photographs scanned and edited properly.
And, while we are at it.
Sorry, about the grammar, and casual writing.
I'm not going to spend hours and hours correcting and getting these write-ups absolutely perfect.
Otherwise I may be here indefinitely!
If you recognize yourself in a photo, send me a message and I can add your name.
If there is anyone interested in taking these photos from me, please let me know, I don't want to hold on to them forever!!!
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
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Balibo, East Timor 1999
ARMY VALUES
Courage
Initiative
Respect
Teamwork
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