The Centenary Medal commemorates 100 years (the centenary) of federation and acknowledges the challenges of the new century by recognising citizens and other people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government.
About the Award: The medal acknowledges those who contributed to the success of Australia's first hundred years as a federal nation. It recognises the many Australians who laid solid foundations for the nation's future.
The Centenary Medal is the third specifically Australian commemorative award. It adds to a long history of commemorative medals in Australia. In the past, Australia received quotas in royal commemorative awards to mark coronations and jubilees.
The Prime Minister, announced the Centenary Medal on 28 December 2001. The Centenary Medal is now only open to centenarians.
Award Recipients: The Centenary Medal was awarded to:General list people who served Australia, for example community volunteers, and those whose achievements in science, research or the arts made a notable impact at a national or international level. Centenarians Australians who lived through our first century of federation. That is, those Australian citizens born on or before 31 December 1901 and who lived to celebrate the centenary of federation on 1 January 2001. Government and judicial officer holders to celebrate the Australian system of government.
Medal design: Designed by Balarinji, Sydney, the medal features a seven-pointed Commonwealth Star representing the six Australian states, with the seventh point representing Australia's territories. At the centre of the star is an Indigenous styling of Aboriginal traditions at the heart of the continent. Around the rim are 100 dots depicting 100 years of federation.
The colours in the ribbon are crimson, which represents federation, and blue and gold for the beginning of the 21st century. The seven gold and red lines signify the states' pathways to federation.
Awarding the Medal: Nominations for the Centenary Medal were made by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments. An independent council assessed the nominations put forward.
NUMBER AWARDED:
15,838 medals were issued. These included close to 3,000 medals awarded to Australian centenarians.
DESCRIPTION (OF CENTENARY MEDAL): The medal shows the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star with an Indigenous design at its centre. One hundred dots circle the rim. The ribbon is crimson, blue and gold.
