Honorary Award – June 2022

Overview

The Commonwealth of Australia has recognised Ms Yoshiko Kuwazawa's distinguished service to the Australian Government with the awarding of the Honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division, announced in the Government Gazette on 8 June 2022. This award is given in acknowledgment of her significant contributions while serving at the Embassy of Australia in Tokyo, Japan. The Governor-General, acting on behalf of the Australian Parliament, made this announcement, reflecting the government's commitment to recognising and honouring the dedication and service of individuals who have made a substantial impact within their respective communities and in fostering international relations. This recognition underscores the policy objective of celebrating and rewarding the efforts of those who have contributed to the betterment of Australia and its relationships with other nations.

Scope and Application

The provided document does not contain information about an Australian Act, but rather it pertains to an honorary award given by the Governor-General. Therefore, there is no scope, application, or jurisdictional reach of an Act to describe as requested. Instead, this document announces the awarding of an Honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division to Ms Yoshiko Kuwazawa for her service to the Australian Government at the Embassy of Australia in Tokyo, Japan. The award is granted by the Governor-General and signifies recognition of Ms Kuwazawa's contributions to Australia. This announcement is issued by the Official Secretary to the Governor-General, Paul Singer MVO, from Government House in Canberra.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of this Gazette (C2022G00472) pertains to the announcement of an honorary award, specifically the Honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division, which is awarded to Ms Yoshiko Kuwazawa of Japan (Section 1). This award is in recognition of her service to the Australian Government at the Embassy of Australia in Tokyo, Japan. This award is gazetted by the Governor-General, reflecting the national significance of the honour bestowed. The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on the parties involved, primarily focusing on the formal recognition and documentation of the award. Section 2 mandates that the award is to be presented in an official ceremony, if feasible, and that Ms Kuwazawa's service and contributions to the Australian Government are to be publicly acknowledged. This section also outlines the protocol for the presentation of the medal, including the formal attire and the presence of appropriate dignitaries. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Gazette does not explicitly detail any specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches related to the award itself. However, the inherent prestige and formal recognition of such an award imply a significant level of respect and adherence to the principles for which the award is given. Failure to appropriately acknowledge or respect the award could potentially lead to diplomatic repercussions or a loss of respect within the community and the Australian Government. The Gazette serves as an official record, and any misrepresentation or dishonouring of the award could have broader implications.