Oz-Expat

G'day All, Been a while between drinks, so I thought I would give an update on Aus & NZ Covid awards that keep trickling out. Ones I have previously listed include: AFP Op Protect Citation SA Police Emergency Medal - Active Service NSW Ambulance Pandemic Medal Since then there has also been the following: QLD Police Emergency Medal - Covid 19 Bar WA Police Covid 19 Medal NSW Corrections Covid-19 Medal NT Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance etc) Covid 19 Medal Still no nationally recognised award (i.e. National Emergency Medal) for all organisations and personnel involved. Also, no organisational award (i.e. Operational Service Medal - Domestic Operations or Covid-19) as yet for the thousands (biggest op and mobilisation of Defence personnel) of Australian Defence Force personnel involved in Op Covid. So Australia still has a situation and continuation of those who have and those who haven't been recognised, for people and organisations that did the same job! I also see NZ Gov't started to issue a certificate and commendation/citation pin to those who were involved in Covid-19 operations (inc NZDF personnel). Examples attached. Maybe the new and approved British Humanitarian Service Medal will be used in Britain to recognise COVID-19 response personnel and workers? https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66267872

Further to my last: This is the Australian National Emergency Medal (Gold stripes on Eucalyptus Green) which MAY be used for recognition in Australia. If it does it would then likely be issued with a clasp (i.e. COVID 19). If the National Emergency Medal does not get authorised for this national emergency, the Australian Defence Force may perhaps look at issuing a dedicated Operational Service Medal (OSM) (with a specific coloured operational ribbon) to their personnel. This would not be the first of its type for domestic operations, as they already exist for Border Protection, Counter Terrorism, and some Special Operations etc. If their isn't some kind of formal recognition it appears that Australia will end up with a mismatch of some personnel being issued recognition for their efforts and COVID work (either through Oz Day/Birthday Honours (limited few) or internal organisation awards (i.e. police, ambulance, and emergency services medals)), whilst others will not. Ironically for doing the same roles and working together in many cases.

G'day BigJarOfWasps, The Australian medal (with Southern Cross ribbon) shown in your initial post above is not a legit medal, or even an unofficial medal. It was used by someone to push for a medal petition in Oz I think (concept design). The medal itself is actually from the Australian Defence Medal, which is a legit and recognised Defence Medal for initial period of service/enlistment. Nothing to do with COVID. As yet (to the best of my knowledge) there has been no formal recognition for ADF personnel who served in COVID operations, unless they have been individually recognised for exemplary/diligent service through Australia Day or Queens (now Kings) Birthday award process. Those nominations are significantly limited. Most of the recognition that has been issued organisation wide thus far, has involved State emergency services organisations (i.e. Australian Federal Police, SA Police, NSW Ambulance Service) who have authority to issue their own official awards. I believe there was some hope that the pandemic service would result in the issue of the National Emergency Medal (as it is truely a national emergency). But I don't think anything has formally been decided as yet.

Australian Federal Police issued a citation ribbon, worn on right breast, for all members involved in support to COVID operations in Australia (Op Protect). New South Wales (NSW) Ambulance Service (Australia) issued their own internal service medal for Pandemic Service. I also believe that South Australia Police has started issuing an Emergency Service - Active Service Medal to their personnel for their involvement in COVID operations.