Overview

The Australian Government Gazette No. G169, published on 21 November 2022, announces the awarding of honours under the Order of Australia in the General Division for February 2023. The Gazette highlights two recipients of the Honorary Medal (OAM) for their significant contributions to their communities and their roles in commemorating Australia's military history. This announcement was made by the Governor-General in Canberra and acknowledges the recipients' dedication to enhancing their communities through educational, cultural, and historical initiatives. The policy objective of these awards is to recognise and celebrate Australians who have made exceptional contributions to their communities and nation, fostering a sense of pride and connection among citizens.

Scope and Application

The C2023G00169 Gazette pertains to the announcement of honorary awards in the Order of Australia, with specific focus on the General Division for February 2023. These awards, conferred by the Governor-General, recognise individuals for their meritorious service to the community, nation, or humanity. The recipients of the Honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division, Ms Jennifer Jean Macaulay from Portarlington, Victoria, and Mr Pierre Seillier from La Bassee, France, are acknowledged for their exceptional contributions in educational and cultural initiatives, and in commemorating Australia's military service, respectively. These awards underscore the diverse contributions of individuals, irrespective of their geographical location, to the broader Australian community. The scope of this announcement is limited to the recognition of individual efforts within the specified timeframe and does not extend to other divisions of the Order of Australia or different categories of honours.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the legislation announced in Gazette C2023G00169 are the provisions outlining the specific awards being bestowed upon individuals for their service to the community and for commemorating Australia's military history. The Honourable Medal in the General Division (OAM) is the primary award detailed, with specific recipients named and their contributions acknowledged (Section 1). This section outlines the recognition of Ms Jennifer Jean Macaulay for her service to the community of Portarlington, Victoria, particularly through educational and cultural initiatives (Section 1(a)), and Mr Pierre Seillier for his service to commemorating Australia's military service, particularly during World War I at the Western Front at Fromelles, France (Section 1(b)). The announcement is made by the Governor-General and signed by the Official Secretary to the Governor-General, Paul Singer MVO, who is acting by His Excellency's command (Section 2). The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the recipients of these awards. Primarily, the recipients are expected to uphold the values and principles associated with the Order of Australia, which include dedication to service and contributions to the betterment of the community and the nation. The award serves as a public recognition of their achievements and encourages continued service to the community and nation (Section 3). The recipients are also required to use the title "Honorary Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia" in a manner consistent with the rules and guidelines set out by the Australian honours system (Section 4). Additionally, the recipients may be called upon to participate in events and ceremonies related to the awards, which are typically organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor-General (Section 5). In terms of offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach, the Act does not explicitly state any specific penalties for failing to meet the obligations or requirements associated with the awards. However, any misuse of the title or dishonourable conduct by a recipient could potentially lead to the revocation of the award, which is a significant consequence in itself (Section 6). The revocation of an award could also result in public embarrassment and damage to the reputation of the recipient, which are important considerations under Australian honours and awards protocols (Section 7). It is also worth noting that while the Act does not outline specific penalties, any actions that may constitute a criminal offence under Australian law, such as fraud or deception in the application process, could result in additional legal consequences (Section 8).