Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Medal - Order of Australia

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Overview

The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service The badge of the Order of Australia is a convex disc (gold for AKs, ADs and ACs, gilt for AOs, AMs and OAMs) representing the Golden Wattle flower. At the centre is a ring, representing the sea, with the word 'Australia' below two branches of golden wattle. The whole disc is topped by the Crown of St Edward. The AC badge is decorated with citrines, blue enamelled ring, and enamelled crown. The AO badge is similar, without the citrines. For the AM badge, only the crown is enamelled, and the OAM badge is plain. The ribbon is royal blue with a central band of scattered gold mimosa. The ribbon of the Military Division is of the same design but edged with gold bands 1.5 millimetres wide. The ribbon colours reflect the national colours of Australia at the time the order was established. There is no distinction between the insignia of the General or Military Divisions. The order's insignia was designed by Stuart Devlin. Companions and Officers of the Order of Australia wear the award as a neck decoration, or equivalent, when full sized medals are being worn.

Historical information

The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Government. Before the establishment of the order, Australian citizens received British honours.
The Order of Australia was instituted with both a General Division and a Military Division. The two divisions are distinguished by a different ribbon, with the Military Division ribbon edged in gold.
All classes of the order (Companion, Officer, Member and Medal of the Order) are available in both divisions. The eligibility criteria for the equivalent classes in the two divisions require similar levels of achievement, but those for the Military Division are designed to reflect military service. An individual may hold awards in both divisions and is entitled to wear the insignia of both. Appointments in the General Division take precedence over the equivalent appointment in the Military Division.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-357

Inscriptions and markings

Persons appointed to the Order of Australia are entitled to the appropriate post-nominal letters:
• Companion of the Order of Australia - AC
• Officer of the Order of Australia - AO
• Member of the Order of Australia - AM
• Medal of the Order of Australia - OAM
(Mil) may be added to distinguish an appointment in the Military Division by those who also hold an appointment in General Division.

From the beginning many military awards for both bravery and long service had distinctions based on class, rank or responsibility. Awards could be issued in different medals, gold, silver or bronze. Their could be a Cross for officers and a Medal for other ranks for example Military Cross and Military Medal. For long service, officers received a Decoration, soldiers a Medal. Contemporary practice has been to remove rank restrictions for bravery awards while retaining options for the circumstancesof the action. Recognition for exceptional service such as the Oder of Australia retains criteria for the level of service being commended. In general long service medals have no rank distinction only years of service.
In contrast to the previous policies for medals, sacrifice was traditionally been recognised as equally honoured. Rank distinctions are not normally found on Memorials and Honour Boards, the Australian War memorial being a national example.

Contextual Information

The Australian Army Museum of WA collection has examples of the Medal, Member and officer badges of the order of Australia. Medals are displayed in context throughout the Museum. All medals are identified, archivally stored and those not on display are accessible and viewable with prior notice.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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