The display features the different types of Order of Australia honours, as well as the criteria for each medal. 

Representatives from the Order of Australia Association Tasmania Branch’s Northern Region visited the Riverside office last week to thank councillors for their support.

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Deputy chairman Frank Madill AM said the medal board was a way to raise awareness about the awards across the community.

“We want to show people what these medals look like,” he said.

“The board is designed to be used at citizenship ceremonies and other appropriate national events as a means of educating people about the Order of Australia.

“Hopefully it will also encourage people to nominate others who may be eligible.

“We know for every award that is given, there are probably 10 other people who could be recognised.”

Established in 1975, the Order of Australia is the principal means of recognising outstanding members of the community.

The four levels of Companion of the Order, Officer of the Order, Member of the Order and Medal of the Order are awarded in general and military categories. Recipients are either named on Australia Day, or the Queen’s Birthday. West Tamar mayor Christina Holmdahl said the council planned to use the board “at every opportunity”.

“The Order of Australia medal is unique in the sense that anyone can be nominated and it is not political,” she said.

“We just want to be able to promote the award.”

Mr Madill said the association was in talks with other Northern councils about the boards.

“We have eight municipalities in our area and we’d like to think each of them will eventually have one of these boards prominently displayed,” he said.

“The West Tamar Council is second to acquire the board after City of Launceston Council and we are trying to persuade some of the others to use them in the same way.”