PRIME MINISTER 102Pi4
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON PJ KEATING MP
SECOND WORLD WAR CIVILIAN MEDAL
I am pleased to announce today the establishment of a new Medal the
Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945 which will be awarded to thousands of
Australian civilians who served their country during World War 11.
Final approval for the Medal has now been granted by Her Majesty the
Queen.
The award's aim is to recognise the contribution of those civilians who served
in arduous circumstances in Australia during World War Two in organisations
subject to military-like conditions. Its creation was one of the
recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into Defence Awards which
reported to the Government earlier this year.
The Government has so far approved four organisations as meeting the
criteria for the award of the Medal. They are:
The Australian Women's Land Army;
The North Australia Railway;
The Civil Constructional Corps; and the
Voluntary Aid Detachment ( for VADs who did not go on to military
service during the War).
Other organisations are under consideration for the Medal and if they are
found to meet the criteria their members will be eligible to receive the award.
All Australians who served in one of these organisations for 180 days or more
may apply for the Medal, to be awarded by the Governor-General on the
recommendation of the Minister for Administrative Services. The Medal will
also be awarded posthumously to next-of-kin, so close relatives of deceased
Australians who served in these organisations may also apply.
It is estimated that around 68,000 people will qualify for the award.
Recipients can choose to have their Medal personally presented by their
local Federal MP or Senator, or have it posted to them.
Designed by Mr Horst Hahn, Chief Engraver of the Royal Australian Mint, the
Civilian Service Medal will be made of bronze. The Medal is ensigned with
the Federation Star and its design features the Southern Cross, symbolising
Australia, and Golden Wattle, symbolising the civilian population combined in
the defence of the nation. The accompanying ribbon will be three broad
vertical bands of opal green, ochre and opal green, separated by two thin
white stripes.
The Civilian Service Medal will be placed immediately under the Police
Overseas Service Medal in the Australian Order of Precedence of Honours
and Awards.
Application forms for the Medal can be obtained from:
electorate offices of Federal MPs and Senators; or
the Medals Validation Unit, Department of Administrative Services,
GPO Box 1331, ACT 2601. Phone: 06 275 3653 or 06 275 3654.
CANBERRA November 1994