National Medal Awards (20/04/2024)
This evening, a number of our members, were presented with the National Medal for Service or Clasps to their National Medal. The presentations were made by CFA Board Member Ross Coyle assisted by Commander Justin Dally.
The National Medal was created by Royal Warrant and is awarded by the Governor-General to personnel in Australia’s emergency services. It was introduced in 1975, and was first awarded to CFA members in 1982, when volunteer and part-time service with eligible organisations was confirmed as eligible service for the National Medal.
At that time, the National Medal then replaced the imperial Queen’s Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, as part of the Australian Honours System. The National Medal recognises prolonged exposure to hazard in the service of the community. It is available to operational members in approved organisations that protect life and property at some risk to their members. This includes government agencies such as ambulance, correctional, emergency, fire and police forces, and voluntary organisations such as lifesaving and search and rescue groups.
The National Medal is Australia’s most awarded civilian medal.
Qualifying Service: Fifteen years diligent service is required to qualify for the Medal and a National Medal holder may be eligible for National Medal Clasps for each subsequent ten years of diligent service.
Service does not need to be continuous, only total service must meet this requirement. In some circumstances previous service in other approved organisations may be added to CFA service and counted toward the National Medal.
Criteria: The National Medal is awarded for diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property.
