Overview

The Australian Honours System, established to recognise and reward Australians for their achievements and distinguished service, was used to honour Ashi Tashi Chodzom Dorji with the appointment as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2018. The Governor-General, as the representative of Her Majesty the Queen, made this announcement to acknowledge Dorji's significant contributions to Australia-Bhutan bilateral relations, particularly in the education sector. Dorji, being the Grand Aunt of the King of Bhutan, has been instrumental in facilitating the opening of Bhutan to Australia, securing Australia’s support for Bhutan's inclusion in the Colombo Plan, and helping establish the Australian Government's development program in Bhutan, which has fostered an enduring educational relationship between the two countries. This honorary appointment highlights the substantial goodwill and close relations Dorji has helped to maintain between Bhutan and Australia.

Scope and Application

The Gazette C2018G00540, issued on 11 July 2018, announces the honorary appointment of Ashi Tashi Chodzom Dorji as an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. This recognition acknowledges her distinguished service to bilateral relations between Australia and Bhutan, particularly in the education sector. The appointment underscores her significant contributions to fostering and maintaining strong ties between the two nations, highlighted by her pivotal role in securing Bhutan's membership in the Colombo Plan and facilitating educational exchanges. The award also celebrates her continued efforts in establishing and nurturing the Australian-Bhutan Friendship Association, which has fostered substantial goodwill and enduring connections between Australia and Bhutan.

Key Provisions

The main provisions of the Gazette C2018G00540 recognise the distinguished service of Ashi Tashi Chodzom Dorji to Australia–Bhutan bilateral relations, particularly in the education sector. Section 1 of the document officially appoints Ashi Tashi as an Honorary Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. This recognition is in acknowledgment of her significant contributions to fostering and maintaining the bilateral ties between Australia and Bhutan. The Gazette highlights her efforts in facilitating Australia's support for Bhutan's inclusion in the Colombo Plan in 1962 and her ongoing role in establishing and nurturing the educational and developmental relationship between the two countries. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are primarily ceremonial and honorary. Ashi Tashi Chodzom Dorji, as an Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia, is recognised for her distinguished service but is not mandated to undertake any specific duties under this Act. The recognition serves to honour her contributions and to symbolise the strong relationship between Australia and Bhutan. The Act also acknowledges the personal and professional achievements of Ashi Tashi, including her role in establishing the Australian Government's development program in Bhutan and the Australian-Bhutan Friendship Association. While the Gazette itself does not detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches, the Order of Australia generally does not impose legal obligations or punitive measures on its recipients. Instead, it serves as an honour and a symbol of recognition for exceptional service to the nation. The appointment of Ashi Tashi as an Honorary Officer does not entail any legal responsibilities or liabilities under Australian law. The primary consequence of this appointment is the recognition and celebration of her contributions to fostering and maintaining bilateral relations between Australia and Bhutan. The Gazette serves to publicly acknowledge and honour her distinguished service in a formal and official capacity.