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In the Australian honours system appointments to the Order of Australia confer the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service. Within the Order of Australia: the Civil or General Division there are four levels:
The Order of Australia is the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens. Nominations to the Order of Australia come directly from the community: either individuals or groups. Anyone can nominate a fellow Australian for an award. Once a nomination has been submitted, the Australian Honours Secretariat at Government House in Canberra conducts further research and contacts referees. The 19-member Council for the Order of Australia then considers the nominations. The Council makes its recommendations, independent of government, direct to the Governor-General. Awards in the Order of Australia are publicly announced on Australia Day (26 January) and The Queen’s Birthday public holiday (June).
In a recent message by Ms Julie Burns, Executive Director of the Office for Women, she said:
"Women are traditionally the quite achievers and tend not to promote themselves or other women for their achievements. This is reflected in the gender balance of the Australian Honours system where men dominate the awards at all levels.
You may be aware that in the 2008 Australia Day Honours, only 32.3 per cent of award recipients were women. However, you may not be aware that although women represented only 29.4 per cent of those nominated for an award, 60.7 per cent of the women nominated were successful in being recognised. This is a staggering number and is a trend that is repeated year after year. If more women are nominated for awards, then it is highly likely that more women will be successful in being recognised.
The Office for Women is interested in raising the profile of women within the Australian Honours system and we are looking at ways of making this happen."
The Australian government operates a website titled It's An Honour and it is from this website that you can nominate someone for various awards including the Order of Australia.
Think about nominating an outstanding woman you know for an Award. now. The statistics above suggest that nearly two in every three women nominated end up with an award.
Michelle Jansen
Soroptimist International Brisbance City
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