History
The Order of Australia was instituted on 14 February 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II as an Australian society of honour for according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service, ending the nation's reliance on the Imperial honours. The King is Sovereign Head of the Order and the Governor-General its Chancellor. Changes of 24 May 1976 added the Medal of the Order below Member and a Knight and Dame level above Companion, and renamed the Civil Division the General Division; the knighthoods were abolished in 1986, briefly restored in 2014 and closed again in 2015.
The Member is the Order's third level, appointed for significant service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group. It is the level where the Order most often meets everyday Australia: the surgeon who built a specialty, the coach who built a sport, the volunteer who built an institution. Nominations come from the community, are researched and considered by the Council for the Order of Australia within an annual quota, and are announced generally each January and June.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The insignia of the Order, designed by Stuart Devlin, is a single flower head of mimosa rendered as a convex disc, with a central ring for the sea above the word AUSTRALIA and two branches of mimosa. The Member's badge is gilt and is worn on the ribbon at the chest by men and on a bow at the shoulder by women, with a lapel pin bearing a blue enamelled centre for daily wear. The insignia is identical in both divisions.
The ribbon
Royal blue scattered with gold mimosa, the colours of the Order.
The ribbon is royal blue with a central band of scattered gold mimosa blossoms, the national colours of Australia at the time the Order was established.
Eligibility
Appointments are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Council for the Order of Australia, for significant service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.
- Anyone may nominate an Australian citizen; nominations are confidential, independently researched and considered by the Council, which recommends directly to the Governor-General;
- An annual quota applies to appointments as Member, with honorary appointments of non-citizens made in addition to it;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal AM, and may also hold an appointment in the Military Division.
Order of wear
The Order's grades are worn among the orders of chivalry and decorations, interleaved with the Imperial awards of equivalent standing. A General Division appointment takes precedence over the equivalent appointment in the Military Division. The precise neighbours should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Member of the Order of Australia awarded for?
Significant service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group. It is the third of the Order's four levels, between Officer and the Medal of the Order.
How is someone appointed?
By community nomination: anyone may nominate an Australian citizen, and the Council for the Order of Australia considers the researched nominations and recommends appointments directly to the Governor-General.
How is it worn?
On the ribbon at the chest by men and on a bow at the shoulder by women, unlike the Companion and Officer which are worn at the neck. A blue enamelled lapel pin is issued for daily wear.
How many are appointed?
An annual quota applies under the Constitution of the Order, with honorary appointments of non-citizens additional to it. Announcements are generally made in January and June.
What separates AM from OAM?
The Member recognises significant service to a field, locality or group; the Medal of the Order recognises service worthy of particular recognition, with no quota, making it the Order's broadest level.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes: AM.