Shirley Shackleton News Today

The Circle of Silence is a work of witness, remembrance and hope, writes Learo Earle.

In terrier-like fashion, Shirley Shackleton never gave up trying to uncover what happened on October 16, 1975, in a small town in East Timor.

Shirley Shackleton, who has died aged 91, spent decades campaigning for justice for her husband, one of the Balibo Five group of Australian journalists killed in Timor-Leste in 1975.

Shirley Shackleton, even with her own tragedy, made common cause with the Timorese people’s struggle and resistance. She will be remembered, writes Stephen Langford.

The East Timor president urged Australia to act as he paid tribute to Shirley Shackleton, the widow of one of the journalists killed by Indonesian forces.

Decision by new government to abandon prosecution prompts widespread relief from lawyers and supporters in Australia and Timor-Leste

friends, I first visited Timor-Leste in January 1975, as a master’s student from Monash University. I spent two months travelling the country with Jose Ramos-Horta, Nicolau Lobato, and Mari Alkatiri. I rode Timor ponies with Mau Lear and Vicente “Sahe” dos Reis to visit the FRETILIN literacy programs. Following Indonesia’s illegal and brutal invasion of December 1975, I was unable to visit the country again for another 24 years. But my c...