Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)

Summary

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.[5] All ranks are eligible for the award.[6]

Conspicuous Service Cross


Medal and ribbon
TypeMedal
Awarded foroutstanding commitment to duty or outstanding application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-war-like situations[1]
Presented byAustralia
EligibilityMembers of the Australian Defence Force and Officers & Instructors of the Australian Defence Force Cadets
Post-nominalsCSC
StatusCurrently awarded
Established18 October 1989
Last awarded2024 Australia Day Honours
Total1,319[2]
Total recipients1,372[3]
Ribbon for CSC & Bar
Order of Wear
Next (higher)Member of the Royal Victorian Order[4]
Next (lower)Nursing Service Cross[4]
RelatedConspicuous Service Medal

History edit

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.[7]

Description edit

  • 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 edit

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 edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b Conspicuous Service Cross, www.pmc.gov.au
  2. ^ Medal Yearbook 2023. Honiton, Devon: Token. 2022. p. 461. ISBN 978-1-908828-63-7.
  3. ^ Governor-General Annual Report 2022-23 (PDF). Governor General of Australia. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b "The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). Government House. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  5. ^ Conspicuous Service Cross recipients Archived 20 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, www.itsanhonour.gov.au
  6. ^ Maton 1995, p. 78.
  7. ^ "Conspicuous Service". Department of Defence. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2017.

References edit

  • Maton, Michael (1995). The National Honours & Awards of Australia. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. ISBN 0-86417-679-1.

External links edit

  • It's an Honour - Australian government website