Overview

The C2016G00526 Gazette from 21 April 2016 honours Mr. Benoit Mottrie with an Honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his service to Australian-Belgian relations. The award recognises his significant contributions as Chairman of the Last Post Association, a volunteer group that plays the Last Post at the Menin Gate in Ypres each evening to commemorate allied soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient during World War I. Mr. Mottrie has been a member of the association since 1990, and as Chairman since 2006, he has overseen the nightly ceremony, coordinated performances, secured donations, and facilitated various commemorative events, including the return of the Menin Lions to Ypres for a year in 2017. His efforts have greatly supported Australian commemorative activities and strengthened ties between Australia and Belgium.

Scope and Application

The announcement of Mr. Benoit Mottrie's honorary award within the General Division of the Order of Australia recognises his substantial contribution to fostering Australian-Belgian relations. Specifically, the award acknowledges his role as Chairman of the Last Post Association, a volunteer group dedicated to maintaining the tradition of playing the Last Post at the Menin Gate in Ypres every evening. This ceremonial observance serves as a poignant tribute to allied soldiers who lost their lives in the Ypres Salient during the First World War. Mr. Mottrie's efforts in coordinating the nightly ceremony, securing donations, and facilitating significant commemorative events such as the return of the Menin Lions to Ypres have substantially strengthened ties between Australia and Belgium. The award underscores the importance of such cultural and historical initiatives in nurturing international relations. While the award itself is an honorary recognition, it highlights the broader impact of voluntary service and cultural diplomacy in enhancing mutual understanding and respect between nations.

Key Provisions

The document C2016G00526, published in the Gazette on 21 April 2016, announces an honorary award within the General Division of the Order of Australia. Specifically, Mr Benoit Mottrie has been awarded the Honorary Medal (OAM) for his service to Australian-Belgian relations. Mr Mottrie, residing at Vaubanstraat 52, 8900 Ypres, Belgium, is the Chairman of the Last Post Association, a volunteer group established over 80 years ago in Leper, Belgium. This association is renowned for its dedication to playing the Last Post at the Menin Gate in Leper every evening of the year, commemorating allied soldiers who perished in the Ypres Salient during the First World War. His service to the association includes overseeing the nightly ceremony, securing donations, and recruiting new members. Under the provisions of the document, Mr Mottrie has fulfilled several key roles and responsibilities within the Last Post Association (sections implied). As Chairman, he is responsible for the coordination and execution of the daily Last Post ceremony, which involves arranging for buglers and ushers, and ensuring the participation of visiting bands and choirs. Additionally, he facilitates the attendance of dignitaries from around the world, thus enhancing the international significance of the event. His role also includes securing financial support and recruiting new members to sustain the association’s activities. Moreover, Mr Mottrie has extended special support to Australian visitors, including arranging visits by his buglers to Australia and aiding in Australia’s proposal to temporarily return the Menin Lions to Leper in 2017 to mark the Battle of Passchendaele, where Australia suffered significant casualties. The document outlines that Mr Mottrie’s contributions have been recognized formally with an award. However, it does not specify any legal obligations or requirements that Mr Mottrie or the Last Post Association must adhere to as a result of this award. Instead, the award highlights his significant contributions to fostering Australian-Belgian relations through his volunteer work. The document also does not detail any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance, as it is primarily an announcement of an honorary award rather than a piece of legislation imposing legal requirements.