The Centenary Medal, a highly sought-after honour, celebrates individuals who have contributed to Australia's success as a federal nation. Its symbolic design embodies unity and achievements, making it a prestigious and significant award. Read more..
The Centenary Medal is a commemorative award established in 2001 to commemorate the centenary of the Federation of Australia, which occurred in 1901. It is awarded to individuals who contributed to Australia's success as a federal nation during the first 100 years, and who helped lay solid foundations for the future of the nation.
The medal has been awarded to people who served Australia in various aspects such as the sciences, research, arts, and volunteer work. It was also awarded to Centenarians - individuals who lived through the first century of federation (born on or before December 31 1901, who lived through to 1 January 2001). It was also awarded to government and judicial officer holders to recognise Australia's system of government.
Design
The Centenary Medal features a seven-pointed star, representing the States and Territories. At the heart of the star is an Indigenous styling, representing Aboriginal traditions at the heart of Australia. The styling is circled by the words "CENTENARY OF FEDERATION 1901 - 2001". The star is surrounded by 100 dots lining the edge, representing 100 years.
The reverse of the medal mirrors the star on the front, with REPLICA engraved in the centre on copies. The words "FOR CONTRIBUTION MADE TO AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY" circle the star.
Ribbon
The accompanying ribbon has a base of dark blue, with seven thin stripes of alternating crimson and gold down the middle. The crimson represents federation, while the blue and gold represent the beginning of the 21st century.
The Centenary Medal is awarded to individuals from a wide range of fields, including science, medicine, education, the arts, sports, public service, and community service. It serves as a reminder of the achievements of Australians over the past century and honors those who have made significant contributions to the country's growth and development.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.
