Women and Public Awards

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGH AWARD SYSTEMS

Australia, like most countries, has an honours and awards system. This system allows for official recognition of outstanding achievement and meritorious service to the community. In other words, it’s Australia’s way of saying “thank you” to Australians who work tirelessly in our communities for the benefit of fellow Australians.

AUSTRALIAN HONOURS

Order of Australia

The Order of Australia, as part of the Australian Honours system, was established in 1975 as a system for recognising those Australians whose contributions have made a difference to society. Awards in the Order of Australia are announced on Australia Day (26 January) and the Queen’s Birthday (June) each year.

The Order of Australia has four levels:

Companion of the Order (AC) Awarded for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large. Officer of the Order (AO) Awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large. Member of the Order (AM) Awarded for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group. Medal of the Order (OAM) Awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.

Any living Australian citizen can be nominated for an award within the Order of Australia. Any individual, community organisation, professional body or similar group can nominate someone for an award. Every nomination is then considered by the Council for the Order of Australia. The Council makes recommendations direct to the Governor-General.

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.itsanhonour.gov.au

Community Development Division, Department of PremierD and Cabinet P A1 /6 C AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS

National Awards Australian of the Year Australia celebrates the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians annually by profiling leading citizens through the Australian of the Year Award, which was founded in 1960. Young Australian of the Year The Young Australian of the Year Award has been recognising outstanding and exceptional Australians aged 16 to 25 since 1979. Senior Australian of the Year The Senior Australian of the Year Award recognises Australians aged 60 and over who continue to achieve and contribute. The award began in the International Year of Older Persons in 1999. The Local Hero Award The Local Hero award was introduced as part of the Australian of the Year Awards in 2003. It acknowledges extraordinary contributions made by Australians in their local communities.

The prestigious year round program culminates in the announcement of the national award recipients in Canberra on Australia Day Eve. State and territory selection committees select four finalists for each award category, with one of these finalists becoming the state/territory award recipient. State/territory award recipients then become the national finalists for the awards. The Australian of the Year Awards is a program of the National Australia Day Council.

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.australianoftheyear.gov.au

State Awards

On Australia Day, local councils across Tasmania recognise the exceptional contribution of their community members with the presentation of Australia Day Awards - the highest honour a council can bestow. Awards are presented in the categories of:

Citizen of the Year Young Citizen of the Year Community Event of the Year

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.australiaday.org.au

Community Development Division, Department of PremierD and Cabinet P A2 /6 C AWARDS FOR WOMEN

Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women

The Tasmanian Government launched the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in May 2005.

The Honour Roll recognises women who have made a major contribution to the Tasmanian community in a variety of ways. Nominations are sought each year for women from all backgrounds and cultures, and all fields of endeavour including community service, humanitarian, business, science and technology, arts and entertainment, sport, education and the environment.

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.women.tas.gov.au

Telstra Business Women’s Awards

The Telstra Business Women’s Awards recognise, reward and celebrate the achievements of inspiring business women. In 2010, there were five award categories:

Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award Open to owners with a 50 per cent share or more in a business with responsibility for key management decision-making. Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award Open to employees in the private and corporate sectors, or owners with less than a 50 per cent share of a business. White Pages Community and Government Award Open to employees in government departments, statutory bodies and not-for-profit organisations. Nokia Business Innovation Award All entrants are considered for the Nokia Business Innovation Award, recognising the successful introduction of innovation within a business or workplace. marie claire Young Business Women’s Award Entrants in one of the qualifying categories will automatically be eligible for this award if they are aged 34 years or younger as at 30 June.

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/

Community Development Division, Department of PremierD and Cabinet P A3 /6 C Australian Rural Industries and Research Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award

The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award celebrates rural women and their contribution to primary industries. It gives rural women the chance to discover their leadership strengths and build a greater capacity to contribute to primary industries and rural Australia.

The main objective of the Award is to help rural women improve their business and leadership skills so they can operate at a higher level in steering the future of their business, primary industries and rural Australia.

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au

Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards

Each year, Barnardos Australia recognises and rewards the importance of excellent parenting through the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards. Launched in 1996, the awards recognise the enormous contribution that mothers make in shaping Australia’s future through their role in the nurture of children.

The aim of the awards is to publicly acknowledge the vital role mothers play in society and also to raise public awareness of the nurturing role Barnardos plays in many children's lives.

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.bamya.com.au

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Community Achievement Awards

The Community Achievement Awards for Tasmania are about recognising individuals, organisations and groups who are making a difference in our local communities and our State. There can never be enough encouragement and support for those working towards making our State a better place. Awards such as these create an opportunity to say thank you to those who work tirelessly to develop and improve in their chosen field of endeavour.

Nominations are open in these categories:

Tamar Valley Dairy Business Enterprise Award Franklin Press Events and Tourism Award MAIB Disability Achievement Award Nyrstar Environment and Sustainability Award

Community Development Division, Department of PremierD and Cabinet P A4 /6 C Volunteering Tasmania Volunteering Award Qew Orchards Outstanding Achiever Award Angove Family Winemakers Primary Industries and Agricultural Award Kleenheat Gas Community of the Year Award

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.awardsaustralia.com

Pride of Australia Medal

Pride of Australia celebrates ordinary Australians who do extraordinary things, with nominees reflecting the core value of giving for the good of other people, their community and their country.

Pride of Australia has the following categories:

Young Leader Medal For a person under 25 years who has advanced a community, or will advance a community, through academic or personal endeavours Environment Medal For an Australian or group of Australians whose actions prove that by making one degree of difference to their local environment, people can make a difference to the broader community Fair Go Medal For an Australian permanent resident or citizen, born overseas, who has enriched Australia through their honesty, hard work and willingness to embrace their new home Inspiration Medal To recognise a member of our teaching profession in primary or secondary school, State or independent, who has been truly inspiring Serving Australia Medal For an Australian in the defence force, on or off the frontline, who showed extraordinary devotion to duty under extreme circumstances, or a former member of the defence force who continues to serve their community and country Child of Courage Medal A child 16 years or under who has helped save, or attempted to save, the life of another or overcome personal adversity through determination and strength of character Care and Compassion Medal To recognise a professional or volunteer carer or group, nurse or member of the medical profession who has made a significant improvement to the lives of those around them

Community Development Division, Department of PremierD and Cabinet P A5 /6 C Outstanding Bravery Medal For an Australian, or group of Australians, who, through their act/s of bravery, helped save or attempted to save a life/lives or have overcome personal adversity through determination and strength of character Heroism Medal To recognise a member or members (professional or volunteer) of the police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, air rescue service who work, or have worked, on the frontline to protect the community Community Spirit Medal To recognise an individual or a group whose selfless, tireless and largely unacknowledged actions have enriched the lives of those around them in their community Courage Medal For an Australian, who through their act/s of courage have overcome personal adversity through determination and strength of character

Nomination forms and further information are available from www.prideofaustralia.com.au/

THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNISING WOMEN Every year, thousands of women make extensive contributions to our communities, but they are still under represented in most major public awards. Everyone can make a difference by nominating an outstanding woman for an award.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION Women Tasmania Phone: 1800 001 377 Ground Floor Email: [email protected] 144 Macquarie Street Website: www.women.tas.gov.au HOBART TAS 7000

This information sheet has been produced by Women Tasmania, Community Development Division, Department of Premier and Cabinet. Information for this information sheet was obtained from the websites listed. Information on a range of other awards can also be accessed from the Women Tasmania website at www.women.tas.gov.au

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this sheet is accurate and current. Women Tasmania does not control, endorse or take any responsibility for any information provided by external agencies or organisations listed in this information sheet.

Community Development Division, Department of PremierD and Cabinet P A6 /6 C