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Welcome.
I am the Western Australian representative on the Council for the Order of Australia, appointed by the Governor-General. The Council is an independent advisory body which considers nominations and makes recommendations for Awards under the Australian Honours System to the Governor General.
Australia established its own honours system on the 14th February 1975, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service".
The Australian Honours System celebrates and says thank you to those people who have made outstanding contributions to the community in ways that make a significant and beneficial difference to the lives of their fellow citizens. It is about recognising those Australians in our community who give their time, their energy and their expertise without consideration of payment, of honours or of recognition.
There are many different types of awards. Some like the Order of Australia and Bravery Decorations you may have heard about, but there are also many others. There is a hierarchy-of-sorts for the organisation of the honours system and the awards can be grouped into distinct categories. These are:
General Community;
Occupation-Related Civilian Awards;
and Defence Awards.
These awards provide national recognition of outstanding service and achievement by citizens of Australia. The Order of Australia operates on the principles of independence and freedom from political patronage.
To learn more about the Australian Honours System and the nomination process, please click here to link with the itsanhonour web site maintained by the Honours Secretariat, Government House, Canberra.
Alternatively, you can contact:
Mike O'Callaghan
Department of the Premier and Cabinet (Western Australia)
Telephone: (08) 9489 3118
Email: mike.ocallaghan@dpc.wa.gov.au for further information.
If you are aware of any potential nominees worthy of an award, please consider nominating them as the Council is always seeking quality submissions. And remember, it is about Australia celebrating Australians who have provided service above and beyond the call. |