ACT Student Citizenship Awards 2011 - Order of Australia Association

This program is proudly sponsored by:ACT Student CitizenshipAwards 2011The Order of Australian Association iswarmly inviting nominations of ACTstudents and schools and colleges forsome very special annual awards.The Association, which seeks to fosterlove and pride in active Australiancitizenship, particularly in the youngermembers of the community, hasdeveloped dedicated student awardsthat publicly recognise voluntarycommunity service and demonstrationof good citizenship.The awards are endorsed by EducationMinister Andrew Barr and enjoy thesupport of school authorities, bothgovernment and non-government.ContactsEndorsed by:ACT Department of Education and TrainingAssociation of Independent Schools of the ACTCatholic Education Office Canberra and GoulburnACT Chamber of Commerce andIndustry - Ready for Education andEmployment TransitionsDr Ray Newcombe, OAM, ConvenerTel: 0419 953923ray@newcombe1.com.auMrs Trish Keller, OAMTel: 0408 234305trish.keller@ed.act.edu.auTHE ORDER OF AUSTRALIAASSOCIATION ACT BRANCHACT StudentCitizenshipAwards 2011THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATIONGPO BOX 423, CANBERRA, ACT 260IServing the Canberra Regionwww.theorderofaustralia.asn.au may 2011

Phoebe Davies receives her award from The Order of Australia Association’sACT patron Gen Peter Gration AC, OBE. Photos by SilasRadford College students receive their school’s award from GenGration.Photos courtesy of “CityNews”Merici College students receive their award from Gen Gration.There are two types of award:• For outstanding individual leadership and achievementby Year 11 and 12 students or students doing a gap year inAustralia or overseas.• For meritorious group activity in community service andcitizenship projects for students between Kindergarten andYear 10.Awards are made on the recommendation of an independentselection panel. The individual awards are marked by anengraved medallion and a certificate, while recipient schoolsreceive an engraved plaque to signify the group awards.Nominations are called from principals of schools and collegesby the last day of Term 3 and the awards are given at a specialpresentation ceremony in November.The Association membership is made up of people who havereceived an award in the Order of Australia, but these studentawards have no direct connection with the Order of Australiaitself.Principals are encouraged to send nominations in the form ofone or two A4 pages and a covering letter addressed to theConvener Student Awards Nomination Committee before thelast day of Term 3 to:STUDENT AWARDS, OAA, ACTGPO Box 423Canberra City, ACT 2601Email nominations are acceptable if confirmed by postand further information is available on line atwww.theorderofaustralia.asn.au/branches/act/studentawards2.phpQ&AIs there a quota on the awards given?Usually it would be expected that two or three awards in eachcategory would be made. Awards are judged on merit and thereis no fixed number.Who decides on the awards?An independent panel of distinguished members of the Order ofAustralia Association advises the ACT Committee on the awards.Is there a similar awards system in other States andTerritories?Individual awards to Year 11 and 12 students are made in NSW,Queensland and SA. Queensland also makes awards to primaryschools for group activity similar to the ACT K-Y10 awards.What connection is there with the awards and the Order ofAustralia?None. The Australian Honours system is described at www.itsanhonour. gov.auDoes an individual student award carry the right to use lettersafter one’s name?No.Is the medallion like the Medal of the Order of Australia?No. The design is very different. The insignia of the OAM mayonly be worn by an Honours recipient. The medallion of theOrder of Australia Association is a trophy like any other trophywhich may be displayed along with the framed certificate. Theaward is a valuable prestigious achievement meant to encouragefuture contributions to the community.Who keeps and displays the plaque awarded to school groups?The school.Are there any criteria?There are no fixed criteria, but some or all of the following areindicative:• Displayed assistance to a group in need e.g. elderly,homeless youth, people with disability sustained over aperiod of time or otherwise making a significant contributionto community development• Demonstrated initiative and concern for the advancementor well being of others• Leadership producing significant benefits for the school orgeneral community• Contribution to the active sustainability of communityresourcesContributions reflecting the values inherent in active Australiancitizenship.