Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
The Order of Australia is the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens.
Nominations for the the awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia come directly from the community. Nominations are considered by the Council for the Order of Australia which makes recommendations direct to the Governor-General.
| Norman Stanley - Esperance SES |
| Gregory Withnell - Harvey SES |
| Neil Davidson - Mandurah SES |
| John Capes - Wanneroo SES and SESVA |
| Paul Shakes - Swan SES |
| Michael Wadley - Rockingham SES |
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
The Emergency Services Medal recognises distinguished service by members of emergency services across Australia, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.
State emergency services and voluntary emergency organisations are eligible for the award. The Emergency Services Medal was introduced into the Australian system of honours in 1999.
| 2025 | Leonie Briggs |
| 2025 | Ronald (Ron) Davey |
| 2023 | Stephen (Steve) Summerton |
| 2023 | David John White |
| 2021 | Allen Gale |
| 2020 | David Price |
| 2020 | Tex (Ronald) McPherson |
| 2019 | Phillip Rance |
| 2019 | Ken Dewhirst |
| 2018 | Gordon Hall |
| 2017 | Phil Bresser |
| 2016 | James MacLean |
| 2016 | Rob Crawford |
| 2015 | Joseph McLaughlin |
| 2014 | Trevor Patton |
| 2013 | Joe Taylor |
| 2012 | William Norris |
| 2012 | Les Hayter |
| 2011 | Graham Fixter |
| 2011 | Connie Eikelboom |
| 2009 | Bernard McNamara |
| 2009 | Arthur Jones |
| 2008 | Rodney Paterson |
| 2008 | Paul Dwyer |
| 2007 | Joyce White |
| 2006 | Kenneth Pember |
| 2006 | Kevin Wrightson |
| 2005 | Christopher Stickland |
| 2005 | Phillip Petersen |
| 2005 | Wayne English |
| 2004 | Nicholas Elrick |
| 2004 | Colin Nicholson |
| 2003 | Herman Hofman |
| 2003 | Robin McInnes |
| 2003 | William Mulroney |
| 2002 | Darren Entwistle |
| 2002 | Christopher Widmer |
| 2002 | Peter Angel |
| 2002 | John Coates |
| 2001 | Maurice Yates |
| 2000 | Stephen Cable |
Applying for a Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious awards recognise outstanding and distinguished service by public servants, members of an Australian police force, fire, ambulance, corrections, intelligence or emergency service, or in support of outstanding work with an Australian Antarctic expedition. Meritorious Service Awards include the Australian Fire Service Medal and Emergency Services Medal.
About the Emergency Services Medal Award
The Emergency Services Medal (ESM) recognises distinguished service by members of emergency services across Australia, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.
It is awarded to career or volunteer, part-time or full time members of:
- A State or Territory Emergency Service
- Defence Force
- Emergency Services of the External Territories or Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Island and Norfolk Island
Who is eligible?
Career or volunteer members of one of the following Western Australian services – either a current member or a retired member (no more than 12 months since retirement) may be nominated for an ESM:
- State Emergency Service
- Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
- Volunteer Marine Rescue Services
- Defence Force remunerated officer of the Commonwealth
- Surf Life Saving Western Australia Nominees must also have recent frontline service with prolonged exposure to hazard in the service of the community.
How is it awarded?
The ESM is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Emergency Services. Recipients of the ESM are announced on the Australia Day Honours List in January and the King’s Birthday Honours List in June each year. They are entitled to use the letters ‘ESM’ after their names to show that their outstanding service has being recognised. The recipient is only awarded once and the ESM is not awarded posthumously.
Medal Design
The ESM is a circular silver and bronze medal. The central motif is a raised equilateral triangle with bevelled edges. This is bordered by stylised sprays of wattle. The centre of the triangle features a raised impression of the Federation Star that is surrounded by 24 balls. The balls represent the 24 hours per day the Emergency Service is available to the community. The back of the medal has the inscription ‘For Distinguished Service’. The 32 millimetre wide ribbon features a centre band of an orange and white checkerboard pattern, flanked on each outer edge by a royal blue band.
What is the medal awarded for?
To be considered for the ESM, the nominee needs to have made a significant contribution with prolonged exposure to hazards, had significant deployments, or who has given distinguished service in relation to emergency management, training or education.
