Centenary Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Centenary Medal |
|
|---|---|
  |
|
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | Citizens and other people who made a contribution to Australian society or government, including centenarians |
| Status | Closed |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 14 February 2001 |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Australian Sports Medal |
| Next (lower) | Defence Force Service Medal |
The Centenary Medal was a special award from the Australian Government. It was created in 2001. This medal celebrated 100 years since Australia became a nation. This event is called the Federation of Australia. The medal honored people who helped make Australia a better place. It also went to "centenarians." These were Australians born in 1901 or earlier. They had to be alive on January 1, 2001, to get the medal. A group of experts, led by historian Geoffrey Blainey, chose who received the award.
About the Medal
What the Medal Looks Like
The front of the medal shows a seven-pointed Commonwealth Star. Six points stand for Australia's states. The seventh point represents Australia's territories. In the middle of the star is an Indigenous design. It shows Aboriginal traditions at the heart of the country. Around the edge are 100 dots. These dots represent 100 years of federation.
The back of the medal also has a seven-pointed star. Around its edge are the words: "For Contribution Made to Australian Society."
The Ribbon and Bar
The ribbon has colors like crimson, blue, and gold. Crimson stands for federation. Blue and gold represent the start of the 21st century. There are seven gold and red lines. These lines show the states' journeys to federation. The medal's bar and ribbon match. This helps everyone know who received the award.
