Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) is a decoration (medal) of the Australian honours system. It is awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force "for outstanding devotion to duty or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations".[1] In November 2019, 1129 people were listed as recipients.[4] All ranks are eligible for the award.[5]
| Conspicuous Service Cross | |
|---|---|
Medal and ribbon | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | outstanding commitment to duty or outstanding application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-war-like situations[1] |
| Presented by | Australia |
| Eligibility | Members of the Australian Defence Force and Officers & Instructors of the Australian Defence Force Cadets |
| Post-nominals | CSC |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 18 October 1989 |
| Last awarded | 2023 King's Birthday Honours |
| Total | 1,319[2] |
| Total recipients | 1,293 |
Ribbon for CSC & Bar | |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Member of the Royal Victorian Order[3] |
| Next (lower) | Nursing Service Cross[3] |
| Related | Conspicuous Service Medal |
History
The Conspicuous Service Cross was introduced in 1989 to acknowledge outstanding achievement and performance of duty in non-warlike circumstances. Previously, there had been no option for such recognition other than using awards within the Order of Australia.[6]
Description
- The medal is a nickel-silver modified Maltese Cross with each axis measuring 38 millimetres, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward in nickel-silver, with the arms of the cross interspersed with fluted rays. The obverse bears a central device of the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath.
- The back of the cross shows a horizontal panel.
- The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, having alternating diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold 6 millimetres wide.
- Additional awards of the CSC wear a nickel-silver bar with a superimposed replica of the cross. The bar is attached to the ribbon of the original award.
Multiple award recipients
Several people have received the Conspicuous Service Cross for a second time, including:
| Awardee | Original award | Bar awarded | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonel | Jeffrey Quirk | 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Vice Admiral | Stuart Mayer | 2008 Australia Day Honours | 2011 Australia Day Honours |
| Colonel | Mark Brewer | 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours | 2011 Australia Day Honours |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Rolf Audrins | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours | 2013 Australia Day Honours |
| Group Captain | Chris Hanna | 27 November 2003 | 2013 Australia Day Honours |
| Captain | Jan Noonan | 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours | 2014 Australia Day Honours |
| Captain | Phillip Andrew Henry | 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours | 2021 Australia Day Honours |
| Commander | Phillipa Hay | 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours | 2021 Australia Day Honours |
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Conspicuous Service Cross, www.pmc.gov.au
- ^ Medal Yearbook 2023. Honiton, Devon: Token. 2022. p. 461. ISBN 978-1-908828-63-7.
- ^ a b (PDF). Government House. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
- ^ Conspicuous Service Cross recipients 20 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, www.itsanhonour.gov.au
- ^ Maton 1995, p. 78.
- ^ "Conspicuous Service". Department of Defence. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
References
- Maton, Michael (1995). The National Honours & Awards of Australia. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. ISBN 0-86417-679-1.
External links
- - Australian government website