A prestigious international medal, a three-month search, and a growing mystery.
This is the story of the disappearance of the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste from a Canberra home.
In August 2025, members of the Canberra Friends of Dili (CFD), an organisation dedicated to strengthening ties between the Timor-Leste capital of Dili and Canberra, celebrated a memorable milestone.
President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, had flown to Australia to personally present the 40-strong Canberra chapter with one of his nation's highest civilian honours: the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste.
The order represents the nation's gratitude for the group's extensive work with underprivileged communities in the Timor-Leste capital of Dili since 2002.
CFD convenor Anya Dettman was among the members who accepted the honour directly from President Ramos-Horta.
Across Australia, about 36 community groups operate to support East Timorese communities.
"Most of them started shortly after Timor became independent because there was so much devastation in the country, and it was a way of assisting people," Ms Dettman said.
However, the group's pride has since been cut short.
The medallion, two accompanying lapel pins, and the official certificate mysteriously vanished in mid-February 2026 from the Holder home of member Tony Jurd.
A founding member of the Canberra chapter, Mr Jurd said he was "devastated" by the loss.
The 81-year-old, who was undergoing cancer treatment at the time, noticed the medal was missing in March and immediately contacted the police.
"I kept it in the study in the black presentation box along with the certificate," Mr Jurd said.
Mr Jurd also received his own Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste, awarded to him in 2024 for his contributions to education in the Southeast Asian nation. The medal still remains safe at his Holder home.
ACT Policing has since launched an investigation into the alleged theft.
The missing pieces including the ornate medal, featuring bright ribbons and an official citation, had been placed inside a bag in a closed cupboard.
"We have been actively looking for it. We just don't know. That's the mystery," Mr Jurd said.
The medal was last seen at a CFD event on February 19, 2026.
"It is rare, it is unusual, and there are not many of them in Australia," Ms Dettman said.
She fears the loss could tarnish the group's reputation and jeopardise its future fundraising efforts.
Because the medal is so distinct, members believe it would be nearly impossible for a thief to sell.
"It could have been somebody who was here for some other reason, poking around, saw something nice, and took the bag and now they can't return it," Ms Dettman said.
Members have not ruled out the possibility of a targeted theft by someone who "knew what they were doing".
With the medal now missing for three months, CFD members are on a mission to recover it, holding out hope for a miracle.
"We'd be happy to have it back with no questions asked," both members said.
The Timor-Leste embassy in Canberra declined to comment on the matter.
