AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL
DETERMINATION
I, PHILIP MICHAEL JEFFERY, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, having received the approval of Her Majesty The Queen to the design of the Ambulance Service Medal, and acting in pursuance of regulations 5 and 6 of the Regulations Governing the Award of the Ambulance Service Medal hereby determine as follows:
Design
1. The Ambulance Service Medal, is a bi-metal construction of silver and bronze colouring in a circular shape, with shaping of the leaf pattern at the suspender bar, and is 47 millimetres deep (including the suspender bar) and 38 millimetres in diameter at the circle shape. The obverse of the medal has a central raised traditional Maltese Cross bounded on either side by stylised sprays of wattle representing the Australian nature of the award. The arms of the cross have a raised border, brightly polished, while the inner arms are in a pebble-texture finish. The centre of the Maltese Cross has a bronze coloured insert, circular in shape with a raised impression of the Federation Star that is surrounded by twenty-four balls representing the twenty-four hours per day the Ambulance Service is available to the community. The circular portion of the medal obverse has a raised, polished rim. The reverse face of the medal has a semi-circular, raised and polished panel featuring the incised words ‘FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE’. The rounded ends of the panel are in line with the bottom edge of the centre insert, which incorporates a bronze coloured insert, circular in shape, with a raised impression of the Federation Star. The area below the insert is available for engraving the recipient’s name. The background of the reverse of the medal is of a frosted finish. The silver suspender bar is of fixed configuration, with the raised and polished words ‘AMBULANCE SERVICE’ running the width of the ribbon on the obverse.
Miniature
2. The miniature of the Ambulance Service Medal is a half size replica of the medal, suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.
Ribbon
3. The Ambulance Service Medal is suspended from a ribbon 32 millimetres wide by means of a narrow silver suspender bar. The ribbon is in a chevron pattern, the angles of which are derived from the open end of the arm of the cross. The chevrons are in alternate red, white, red and silver-grey.
Ribbon Bar
4. The ribbon bar consists of a strip of full size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep, with no emblem.
Lapel Badge
5. The lapel badge of the Ambulance Service Medal is a replica of the medal 10 millimetres in diameter.
Wearing
6. The Ambulance Service Medal is worn on the left breast on all occasions when full size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature medal is worn on all occasions when miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The ribbon bar may be worn on all occasions when service dress is worn. The lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress.
Order of Wear
7. The Ambulance Service Medal is worn in accordance with The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards as approved from time to time by The Sovereign.
Dated this First day of September 2008
Original Signed by General Jeffery
GOVERNOR-GENERAL
Overview
The Ambulance Service Medal Determination, enacted in 2008 by Philip Michael Jeffery, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and approved by Her Majesty The Queen, was introduced to recognise and honour the distinguished service of members of ambulance services in Australia. This determination outlines the design and specifications of the Ambulance Service Medal, including its bi-metal construction, dimensions, and the details of its obverse and reverse faces, as well as its miniature, ribbon, ribbon bar, and lapel badge. The policy objective of this legislation is to provide a tangible acknowledgment of the vital contributions made by ambulance service personnel, ensuring their dedication and service are duly recognised by the community and the nation. The enactment of this determination was overseen by the Governor-General under the authority granted by the Regulations Governing the Award of the Ambulance Service Medal.
Scope and Application
The Ambulance Service Medal Determination outlines the design and specifications for the Ambulance Service Medal, a recognition for distinguished service within the ambulance sector in Australia. The Act applies to individuals who have provided exceptional service to the ambulance service, and it sets out the criteria for awarding the medal. The jurisdiction of this legislation is Commonwealth, and it applies across Australia, as it is a national award. The design details provided include specifications for the medal's physical attributes, such as its bi-metal construction, dimensions, and the emblems and inscriptions it should bear. Additionally, the Act specifies the appropriate occasions for wearing the medal, its miniature, the ribbon bar, and the lapel badge, as well as the order of precedence when worn with other honours and awards. While the Act itself is quite specific regarding the medal’s design and wearing protocol, it does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, nor does it extend its application through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The determination of the design for the Ambulance Service Medal, outlined in sections 1 to 7, sets forth the specifications for the medal’s physical characteristics, including its size, material, and design elements. Specifically, section 1 details the bi-metal construction, shape, and measurements of the medal, including its depth and diameter. The obverse and reverse faces of the medal, including the central Maltese Cross, wattle sprays, Federation Star, and inscriptions, are described in detail. Section 2 provides the specifications for the miniature version of the medal, which is a half-size replica. Section 3 specifies the design and pattern of the ribbon from which the medal is suspended, while section 4 describes the ribbon bar. Section 5 defines the lapel badge, and section 6 outlines the proper occasions for wearing the medal, miniature, ribbon bar, and lapel badge. Lastly, section 7 states that the medal must be worn in accordance with The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.
The Act imposes specific obligations on parties regarding the design, production, and wearing of the Ambulance Service Medal. Section 1 requires adherence to the prescribed design and specifications for the medal, including its material, dimensions, and decorative elements. Section 6 mandates that the medal be worn in a manner consistent with Australian honours and awards protocols. The Act also requires that the miniature, ribbon bar, and lapel badge conform to the specifications outlined in sections 2, 4, and 5, respectively.
Breach of the provisions outlined in the Act may result in legal consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance, violations of the design specifications and wearing protocols could potentially be addressed under general Australian law concerning the misuse or unauthorised production of official medals and insignia. Penalties for such breaches could include fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence and the discretion of the court. The maximum penalties would be consistent with those applicable under Australian law for similar infractions involving the misuse of state symbols or honours.