NURSING SERVICE CROSS
DETERMINATION
I, PHILIP MICHAEL JEFFERY, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting under regulations 9 and 10 of the Nursing Service Cross Regulations, revoke the Nursing Service Cross Determination made on the eleventh day of November 1991 and determine as follows:
Design
1. The Nursing Service Cross is a four-stepped sterling silver straight armed cross with each axis measuring 43 millimetres, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward in sterling silver. The cross is surmounted by a plain sterling suspender bar. The obverse of the cross bears a transparent red enamel cross insert 35 millimetres across on each axis overlaid on a flecked pattern radiating from the centre of the medal. The reverse bears a horizontal panel 34 millimetres across and 7 millimetres high to allow for engraving of the recipient’s name. This is superimposed on a design of fluted rays of varying lengths.
Miniature
2. The miniature of the Nursing Service Cross is a half size replica of the cross suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.
Ribbon
3. The ribbon for the Nursing Service Cross is 32 millimetres wide and has a central red vertical band 12 millimetres wide, flanked by two white vertical bands 8 millimetres wide, and a further two vertical gold bands 2 millimetres wide.
Ribbon Bar
4. The ribbon bar of the Nursing Service Cross consists of a strip of full size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep, with no emblem.
Further Awards
5. Second and subsequent awards of The Nursing Service Cross are recognised by the presentation of a sterling silver bar 35 millimetres wide and 6 millimetres high with a superimposed central replica of the red enamel cross insert of the full size cross 6 millimetres across. The bar is worn attached to the ribbon of the original cross. A half size replica of the bar is worn on the ribbon of the miniature cross. A ribbon bar emblem in the form of a cross of red enamel 8 millimetres across is worn on the ribbon bar.
Lapel Badge
6. The lapel badge of the Nursing Service Cross is a replica of the cross 10 millimetres in diameter.
Wearing
7. The Nursing Service Cross is worn on the left breast whenever full-size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature cross is worn whenever miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The ribbon bar is worn at all times with service dress. The lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress.
Order of Wear
8. The Nursing Service Cross 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 Nursing Service Cross Determination 2008 was enacted to update the design and specifications of the Nursing Service Cross, a decoration awarded to recognise meritorious service by nurses. This instrument was issued under the authority of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, in accordance with the Nursing Service Cross Regulations. The policy objective of this determination was to provide a contemporary and detailed design for the Nursing Service Cross, ensuring it reflects the high standards and dedication of nursing professionals in Australia. By specifying the physical attributes of the medal, including the cross, miniature, ribbon, ribbon bar, lapel badge, and rules for wearing and order of precedence, the determination aimed to maintain the prestige and significance of this honour.
Scope and Application
The Nursing Service Cross Determination outlines the design and wear protocols of the Nursing Service Cross, a decoration recognising exceptional service within the nursing profession in Australia. The Act applies to individuals who have been awarded the Nursing Service Cross, their successors, and entities involved in the production and presentation of the decoration. The geographical reach of the Act is national, as it pertains to the Australian honours system. The Act specifies the appearance and dimensions of the cross, miniature, ribbon, ribbon bar, further awards, and lapel badge, detailing how these items are to be designed and worn. The Act does not explicitly mention exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the determination of who qualifies for the Nursing Service Cross would likely be governed by other regulations. The application of the Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which would detail the specific criteria and processes for awarding the Nursing Service Cross.
Key Provisions
The Nursing Service Cross Determination outlines the design and protocol for wearing this honour. Section 1 details the physical design of the Nursing Service Cross itself, including its dimensions, materials, and specific features such as the enamel cross insert and the suspender bar (1). The miniature of the cross, as described in section 2, is a half-sized replica suspended from a miniature ribbon (2). Section 3 specifies the ribbon's dimensions and colour scheme, which includes a central red band flanked by white and gold bands (3). Additionally, section 4 describes the ribbon bar, which is a strip of the same ribbon without an emblem (4). For recipients who receive multiple awards, section 5 explains the design and placement of the sterling silver bar and its miniature replica (5). The lapel badge, a smaller replica of the cross, is covered in section 6, and the protocol for wearing the Nursing Service Cross and its miniature, ribbon, and lapel badge is provided in section 7 (6 and 7). The order of wear is governed by The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards, as mentioned in section 8 (8).
The Act imposes certain obligations on the recipients of the Nursing Service Cross. Recipients are required to wear the cross and its associated miniature, ribbon, and lapel badge according to the specified protocols. These protocols include wearing the full-size cross on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and the miniature cross when miniatures are worn (7). The ribbon bar must be worn at all times with service dress, and the lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress (7). Additionally, the order of wear must follow The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards, as approved by The Sovereign (8).
Breach of the wearing protocols outlined in the Act may result in consequences, though the Act does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or specific civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance. The determination does not provide information on maximum penalties or any formal repercussions for failing to adhere to the prescribed wearing protocols. However, it is implied that adherence to these protocols is expected, and non-compliance may be viewed as a dishonour to the award and the institution it represents.