Australian Antarctic Medal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Australian Antarctic Medal | |
|---|---|
  Medal and ribbon |
|
| Awarded by Australia | |
| Type | Medal |
| Eligibility | members or support staff of an Australian Antarctic expedition |
| Awarded for | outstanding service in, or support to, scientific research or exploration |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 2 June 1987 |
| Total awarded | 79 at 30 June 2006 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) |
| Next (lower) | Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry (QPM) |
The Australian Antarctic Medal (AAM) is awarded for outstanding service in scientific research or exploration in connection with an Australian Antarctic expedition or for support of such work. The service or support would normally be for a period of at least 12 months.
The AAM was introduced in 1987, and replaced the Imperial award of the Polar Medal of the United Kingdom. Announcements of the award are made on 21 June in a special Midwinter’s Day honours list.
Recipients of the Australian Antarctic Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "AAM".
[edit] Description
- The AAM is an octagonal nickel-silver medal ensigned with a hexagonal ice-crystal device which links the medal to the suspension bar. The obverse depicts the Southern Hemisphere showing Australia and the Antarctic enclosed by the inscription "For Outstanding Service in the Antarctic".
- The reverse of the medal shows an Antarctic expeditioner leaning into a blizzard to use an ice axe outside Mawson's Huts. The ice-crystal device is repeated on the reverse of the medal.
- The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon is snow-white moiré. At the edges three shades of blue merge into the white.
[edit] References
- It's an Honour Australian Government website
