Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
13 December 2013
The Governor-General is pleased to announce the following honorary appointment within the General Division of the Order of Australia:
ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
HONORARY MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Mr Jerry LEWIS,
Jerry Lewis Films, 2820 West Charleston Boulevard,
Las Vegas NV 89102, United States of America
For service to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia and for his long-time humanitarian contribution to those affected by the disorder.
By Her Excellency’s Command
Stephen Brady CVO
Official Secretary to the Governor-General
Overview
The gazette C2013G01862, issued on 13 December 2013, announces an honorary appointment within the General Division of the Order of Australia. This appointment, recognising Mr Jerry Lewis with an Honorary Member (AM) in the General Division, was made by the Governor-General and is intended to honour Mr Lewis for his service to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia and his enduring humanitarian contributions to those affected by the disorder. The Order of Australia is a prestigious recognition system that acknowledges outstanding achievement and service by Australians and others to Australia, and this appointment reflects the nation's appreciation for Mr Lewis's significant efforts in raising awareness and support for muscular dystrophy.
Scope and Application
The announcement of Mr. Jerry Lewis' appointment as an Honorary Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act signifies recognition of his significant contributions to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia and his long-standing humanitarian efforts benefiting those affected by the disorder. The appointment, effective from the date of the Gazette (13 December 2013), is a formal acknowledgment of his dedication and service. While this particular Gazette entry focuses on the honorary nature of the appointment within the Order of Australia, it does not delineate specific jurisdictional scope or legislative application beyond the context of recognising individual contributions to society. The recognition itself does not extend to legislative enactments or the creation of legal obligations or rights; instead, it serves as a prestigious accolade within the Australian honours system.
Key Provisions
The primary provisions of the legislation, as outlined in the Gazette C2013G01862, involve the announcement of an honorary appointment within the General Division of the Order of Australia. Specifically, section 1 of the Gazette details the appointment of Mr Jerry Lewis as an Honorary Member (AM) in recognition of his service to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia and his humanitarian contributions to those affected by the disorder. This recognition is a formal acknowledgment of his significant contributions and service, providing him with the honour and associated privileges of being a member of the Order of Australia.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on Mr Jerry Lewis and other recipients of such honours are primarily ceremonial and symbolic. While the Act does not impose formal obligations, it implicitly requires the recipient to uphold the values and principles of the Order of Australia, which include acts of significant merit and service to the Australian community or humanity at large. Mr Lewis, as an Honorary Member, may be called upon to participate in official functions and events, representing the Order and its values.
There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in this Gazette entry for failing to meet the obligations of an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia. However, the acceptance of such an honour inherently carries a responsibility to maintain the dignity and integrity of the Order. Any misconduct that brings disrepute to the Order or the Australian community could potentially have implications, though they are not detailed in the Gazette. The primary consequence of failing to uphold the honour's integrity would be the potential revocation of the title and associated privileges by the Order of Australia.