society of honor
austrailia
Brief History of Austrailia
Landing of Captain James Cook in 1770
Australia was first inhabited approximately approximately 50,000 years ago by aboriginal peoples. During the Age of Exploration, the land was discovered and mapped by many Europeans including the Spanish, Dutch and English. However, Australia was not explored until Captain James Cook claimed the land it for Great Britain in 1770 and named it New South Wales.
The colony of New South Wales was originally planned as a penal colony. In 1786, the British Captain Arthur Phillip was commissioned to establish an agricultural work camp there for British convicts. On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip, and his fleet of 11 British ships carrying more than 700 convicts arrived in New South Wales, naming the area he landed in Sydney, and effectively founding Australia.
Six colonies, New South Wales, 1788; Tasmania, 1825; Western Australia, 1829; South Australia, 1836; Victoria, 1851; and Queensland, 1859 were formed in Australia. These colonies later became the states of the Australian Commonwealth.
On January 1, 1901 the British Government passed an act to create the Commonwealth of Australia. In 1911, the Northern Territory became part of the Commonwealth. The first federal Parliament was opened at Melbourne in May 1901 by the Duke of York. Later, in 1927, the center of government and parliament moved to the city of Canberra. Australia took part in both World War I and World War II allied with Great Britain and the United States.
aboriginal people
Australia’s first people—known as Aboriginal Australians—have lived on the continent for over 50,000 years. Today, there are 250 distinct language groups spread throughout Australia. Aboriginal Australians are split into two groups: Aboriginal peoples, who are related to those who already inhabited Australia when Britain began colonizing the island in 1788, and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who descend from residents of the Torres Strait Islands, a group of islands that is part of modern-day Queensland, Australia.
Australia, the aboriginal homeland, is earth’s direst and flattest continent. Only the eastern seaboard and the northern tropical forests get consistent rainfall. Hundreds of linguistically and culturally distinct aboriginal tribes have lived in harmony with this harsh environment for thousands of years.
After European settlers arrived in 1788, thousands of aborigines died from diseases; colonists systematically killed many others. At first contact, there were over 250,000 aborigines in Australia. The massacres ended in the 1920 leaving no more than 60,000. Since then, the population has grown, and by the twentieth century as many as 30,000 people may legitimately claim aboriginal descent.
Despite the past and present impacts of colonization, Aboriginal kinship systems, customs and traditions still thrive, and Aboriginal people, families and communities remain strong and resilient
Religions belief and ritual shape all aboriginal life from ground, cave, and bark painting to healing to the celebration of life events. While religion is sex-segregated, both sexes perform major rituals, and men and women alike are respected artists and healers.
Aborigines believe that a group of deities created the universe in the dreamtime. This sacred time encompasses the moment of creation and is intertwined with the time human beings live in. Time, space, and the ancestor deities are fused into a constant presence. These powers still rule from the natural sites they now inhabit. Any tree, rock, and body of water that could house a spirit from the dreamtime is sacred. Thus, aborigines are spiritually as well as materially connected to the land and strive to live in harmony with it.
Of note, the term ”Aboriginal” was introduced by Europeans. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the peoples of Australia did not share a uniform culture or identity. There were an estimated 600 distinct groups in Australia at the time of European contact. Aboriginal cultures are diverse and varied, but what follows are some of the most consistent trends.
famous attractions
Australia is the world’s smallest continent, but it is its sixth largest country. As such, there are many amazing things to see in Australia. From Dreamtime walks to the heavenly apostles, the landmarks of Australia are awe-inspiring. Below are some of the most popular attractions in the nation.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, and may be Australia’s most famous attraction. Stretching 3000 km across the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is a diver’s dream. Whether you are an avid scuba diver, casual snorkeller or first time underwater newbie, there is something for everyone.
The Daintree Rainforest is a region on the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, north of Mossman and Cairns. At around 460 sq miles, the Daintree is a part of the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent. The Daintree Rainforest is a part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland Rainforest, that spans across the Cairns Region. at 180 million years old, the Wet Tropics Rainforest (that the Daintree is a part of) is the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest in the world.
Home to the world-famous Surfer’s Paradise, the Gold Coast of Australia offers an endless stretch beach with outstanding surf breaks. Highrise resorts and condos line the sand while beachgoers enjoy the many eateries and dining options.
Kangaroo Island is located off the coast of South Australia and is an incredible place in Australia to tour for a few days. It is a spectacular wildlife haven for Kangaroos, Koalas, Seals and Pelicans. There is even a Birds of Prey rehabilitation center where you can watch a show and learn about birds that are indigenous to the continent.
Located just 32 miles from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are another famous view that attracts numerous visitors. The Three Sisters are the most iconic view of the Blue Mountains. Echo Point lookout offers an impressive view of the three sisters overlooking the Jamison Valley.
The Outback covers a huge expanse of Australia touching nearly every state of the country. When visiting Australia, you cannot miss a trip to the Outback. We took a multi-day journey in South Australia with Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris and had the chance to truly experience all the wonders of Australia’s famous Outback.
culture of australia
The culture of Australia is a Western culture derived primarily from Britain but also influenced by the unique geography of the Australian continent, the diverse input of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other Oceanian people. The oldest surviving cultural traditions in Australia (which are actually some of the oldest surviving traditions on earth) – are those of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Their ancestors inhabited Australia for between 40,000 and 60,000 years and they lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The boomerang and didgeridoo, which were invented by Aborigines, are to this day iconic symbols of the country.
Australians are generally laid back, open and direct. They say what they mean and are generally more individual and outgoing than other cultures. More than three quarters of Australians live in cities and urban centers, mainly along the coast.
clothing
Australian local dress styles are different from Australia’s fashions. Dress has been influenced by the experience of living in rugged country as well as modern leisure activities such as swimming, surfing and beach culture. This is reflected in different fabrics, such as moleskin and drill cotton, developed for more practical wear.
Today, even lifesavers wear long-sleeved tops or wetsuits and sun hats, as do children, as protection from the sun. In response to the beach experience, surf-board shorts, singlets, colorful shirts and thongs have been adopted as part of a national dress code by both males and females. Females have also adopted the loose-flowing sarong from Indonesia, the sulu from the Fiji Islands and Punjabi shirts from India as a preferred choice of cut and garment style as beachwear, providing both sun protection and also as transition garments from the beaches to town.
cuisine
As a multicultural country Australian cuisine is a blend of many different countries around the world. Traditionally speaking some of our most iconic meals contain very few ingredients as they were made during war times where rations were limited.
Using native and indigenous ingredients, such as finger limes, kangaroo or native rosemary is a great way to add an Australian twist to meals.
Some popular dishes include:
Pavlova-Delicate as the ballerina it was named after, Pavlova is the quintessential summer dessert. Whipped cream is typically dolloped on top of a snowy meringue, followed by a pop of color in the form of fruit, preferably the tart varieties which contrast the sweetness of the meringue.
Australian meat pie is made with flaky pastry that is filled with gravy and minced meat. Of course, numerous variations exist, so the filling can also be made with onions, chicken and asparagus, mushrooms, cheese, crocodile meat, vegetables, or seafood.
There are also variations of meat pies such as party pies (tiny pies served to party guests) and the pie floater (a green pea soup with a pie floating on top of it). The concept of the pie traces way back to the Neolithic period, when barley, semolina, and grains were made into a paste, filled with honey and baked over hot coals.
The world-famous Australian culinary icon Lamington consists of a sponge cake that is dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with finely desiccated coconut. The cake is believed to have been created by accident when Lord Lamington’s maid accidentally dropped his favorite cake in melted chocolate.
Lamington, the eighth Governor of Queensland, suggested that the cake should be sprinkled with coconut in order to avoid the mess while consuming it – and the erroneous cake was proclaimed a massive success by all. Today, the cake is extremely popular due to its climate suitability, as it lasts longer in the heat when it’s cut in bite-sized squares and covered in coconut.
Vegemite is the most common food that ‘foreigners’ discover, and often, hate. Vegemite is a dark brown paste made from various vegetables, yeast extract and spice additives. It is a bit like marmite in the UK which had the famous love it or hate it ad that acknowledged it’s not to everyone’s taste. The most popular way to eat it is on bread or toast with butter. Australians also eat it with avocado, melted cheese or tomato.
Chicken parmigiana is one of the most common foods found in an Australian pub. Many pubs have a parma night where you can grab a decent priced chicken parma with a beer. A chicken parma is basically a chicken schnitzel topped with a tasty tomato sauce with melted cheese on top.
Barramundi-You’ll be hard pushed to travel around Australia and not see Barramundi on the menu at least once. Barramundi is the Aboriginal name for this type of sea-bass found in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Barramundi literally translates as “large-scaled silver fish”.
Anzac Biscuits-ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that fought together during WWI. ANZAC Day is a public holiday in Australia to celebrate the men that fought for the country. During the war, the wives baked these delicious ANZAC biscuits to send off to their men at war. They were cheap to make and could stay fresh throughout long boat journeys. They are made with coconut, golden syrup and oats.
australian rules football
Australian Rules Football or “Footy” is fast, free-flowing game that is the most popular sport in Australia. The game looks to be hybrid of rugby and soccer with a bit of basketball, hockey, football, lacrosse and volleyball thrown in for good measure.
The game dates to the 1850s in Melbourne Australia, which is before the formation of the Football Association (“soccer”) and the Rugby Union in England.
Originating in Victoria, it has spread around the country over the last hundred years, with teams from Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, as well as Victoria, making up the premier competition — the Australian Football League (AFL). Referred to as Aussie rules, AFL or simply ‘the footy’, it is a fast paced, physically demanding sport that often resembles a mass brawl. With a ball.
There are 23 rounds in the regular ‘home-and-away’ season. At the end of these rounds, the top eight teams on the ‘ladder’ (leader board) go on to play finals. The finals consist of qualifying, elimination, semi and preliminary finals before the final two remaining teams compete in the AFL Grand Final at the beginning of October.
There are 18 AFL clubs in Australia: 10 in Victoria, and two in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
The game is played on an oval that is about twice as long as an American football field and as wide as an American football field is long. There are 18 players on each side. The objective is to kick the ball between the two middle polls at each end. A goal is worth scored if the ball is kicked through the middle posts and is worth 6 point. If the goal is kicked between the middle post and the smaller side post or if the ball goes between the middle posts without being kicked, then 1 point is scored.
There is no offside, so players can move anywhere on the field and can pass the ball in any direction. However, you are not allowed to throw the ball. To pass, a player may kick (punt) the ball or “hand pass” the ball. A hand pass is a pass in which the ball is placed on the palm of one hand and punched off with a closed fist of the other hand. One of the highlights of Australian football is the high mark or “specky”. A mark is term used when a player catches the ball from a kick. A player who takes a mark is awarded a free kick.
Today it is a multi-million dollar business, with a National Competition and numerous smaller leagues. Interest in the game is generally at an all-time high within and outside Australia, yet despite this, some parts of Australia are still lukewarm in support of their team in the AFL, and the game has yet to take a firm hold overseas.
commonwealth of nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, generally known simply as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 54 member states, almost all of which are former territories of the British Empire. The chief institutions of the organization are the Commonwealth Secretariat, which focuses on intergovernmental aspects, and the Commonwealth Foundation, which focuses on non-governmental relations between member states.
The Commonwealth dates back to the first half of the 20th century with the decolonization of the British Empire through increased self-governance of its territories. It was originally created as the British Commonwealth of Nations through the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial Conference and formalized by the United Kingdom through the Statute of Westminster in 1931. The current Commonwealth of Nations was formally constituted by the London Declaration in 1949, which modernized the community and established the member states as “free and equal”.
The Head of the Commonwealth is currently King Charles III. The King is the head of state of 16 member states, known as the Commonwealth realms, while 33 other members are republics and 5 others have different monarchs.
Member states have no legal obligations to one another but are connected through their use of the English language and historical ties. Their stated shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law are enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and promoted by the quadrennial Commonwealth Games.
The countries of the Commonwealth cover more than 11,566,870 sq mi, equivalent to 20 percent of the world’s land area. The total population is estimated to be 2,418,964,000 as of 2016, equivalent to nearly a third of the global population, making it the second largest intergovernmental organization by population behind the United Nations.
The king
His majesty king charles iii
His Majesty Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of Australia and 14 other Commonwealth realms. He ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He was the longest-serving heir apparent in British history and, at the age of 73, is the oldest person to assume the British throne.
His Majesty was born in Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948, during the reign of his grandfather, King George VI. When Charles was three years old, his grandfather died and his mother ascended the throne, making him the heir apparent. Charles was created Prince of Wales in 1958, and his investiture was in 1969. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Cambridge and went on to serve in the Air Force and Navy from 1971 to 1976. In 1981, he married Lady Diana Spencer, with whom he had two sons, William, the Prince of Wales, and Harry. In 1996, the couple divorced. In 2005, His Majesty married his long-time partner, Camilla Parker Bowles.
His Majesty is a leading philanthropist. In addition to his trust, he has backed a huge array of charitable organizations, supporting efforts to improve educational services, fund arts initiatives, support sustainable business endeavors, provide employment opportunities to older citizens, and help the environment.
During an April 2018 summit of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth nominated Charles to succeed her as head of the 53-nation association of Britain and its former colonies. Shortly afterward, Commonwealth leaders announced that they were adhering to the Queen’s wish. “We recognize the role of the Queen in championing the Commonwealth and its peoples. The next head of the Commonwealth shall be his Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales,” they said in a
the governor-general
his excellency the HON David Hurley
General David John Hurley, AC, DSC, FTSE, is the current and 27th Governor-General of Australia. He was appointed on July 1, 2019. General Hurley is a retired Australian Army Officer and former governor of New South Wales. He served in that post from 2014-2019.
General Hurley is married to Linda McMartin and has three children.
prime minister
the hon scott morrison
Scott John Morrison is the 30th and current Prime Minister of Australia. He took office in August 2018 upon his election as leader of the Liberal Party and subsequently led the Coalition to victory at the 2019 election.
PM Morrison was born in Sydney and studied economic geography at the University of New South Wales. He worked as director of the New Zealand Office of Tourism and Sport from 1998 to 2000 and was managing director of Tourism Australia from 2004 to 2006. PM Morrison also served as state director of the New South Wales Liberal Party from 2000 to 2004. He was first elected to the House of Representatives at the 2007 election for the Division of Cook in New South Wales and was quickly appointed to the shadow cabinet.
PM Morrison is married to Jenny Warren, and has two daughters.
the order of australia
The Order of Australia is an honor that recognizes Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the recommendation of the Australian Government. Before the establishment of the order, Australian citizens received British honors.
The Queen of Australia, as the sovereign, is the head of the order, while the Governor-General of Australia is its principal and chancellor. The governor-general’s official secretary, currently Paul Singer, is secretary of the order. The orders are conferred by the Council of the Order of Australia, following a selection process.
The Order of Australia recognizes Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.
There are four levels of award. The Order of Australia also has a Military Division (awards in this division are recommended to the Governor-General by the Minister for Defense).
Anyone can nominate a member of the community for an award in the Order of Australia.
Nominating someone is a chance to recognize a peer for their hard-work, service and dedication. It is an opportunity to celebrate those inspiring people who make our nation what it is.
The Knight or Dame of the Order of Australia was awarded for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large. The were awarded from 1976-1983 and from 2014-2015. They are not currently awarded. The Award consists of a medal displaying the national coat of arms which is worn around the neck as well as a chest badge.
The Companion of the Order of Australia is awarded for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or humanity at large. The Companion is currently Australia’s greatest civic honor.
The design of the Companion of the Order of Australia is a badge with a gold insignia of the Order in the center. The central insignia is circled with blue enamel edged in gold with citrines and is inscribed with the word ‘Australia’ in gold capital letters. The circle also contains two gold sprigs of mimosa.
The insignia is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward in full color. The medal is hung from the ribbon of the Order. It is royal blue with a central band of mimosa blossoms.
The Officer of the Order of Australia is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large.
The medal of the Officer of the Order of Australia is a badge with a gold-plated silver insignia of the Order in the center. The central insignia is circled with blue enamel edged in gold and is inscribed with the word ‘Australia’ in gold capital letters. The circle also contains two gold sprigs of mimosa. The insignia is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward in full color. The medal is hung from the ribbon of the Order. It is royal blue with a central band of mimosa blossoms.
The Member of the Order of Australia is awarded for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.
The medal of the Member of the Order of Australia is a badge with a gold-plated silver insignia of the Order in the center. The central insignia is inscribed with the word ‘Australia’ in gold capital letters. The circle also contains two gold sprigs of mimosa. The insignia is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward in full color. The medal is hung from the ribbon of the Order. It is royal blue with a central band of mimosa blossoms.
The Medal of the Order of Australia is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.
The design of the Medal of the Order of Australia is a badge with a gold-plated silver insignia of the Order in the center. The central insignia is inscribed with the word ‘Australia’ in gold capital letters. The circle also contains two gold sprigs of mimosa. The insignia is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward. The medal is hung from the ribbon of the Order. It is royal blue with a central band of mimosa blossoms.
The order of australia Association
The Order of Australia Association mobilizes the strength of its members, all recipients of the honor, to raise awareness of Australia’s history, traditions, and culture; and to promote good citizenship. The association also seeks to promote high quality nominations for the honor that reflect the diversity of the Australian community.
Members of the Order of Australia Association support young Australians as they prepare for their careers through their programs designed to provide mentorship and to encourage service to the nation. One way this is accomplishes is through the Order of Australia Association Foundation. The Foundation sponsors annual scholarships for Australian students with the goal of encouraging community and government service.
Members of the association continue to take an active leadership role in the growth and development of their nation. They continue to be role models for those interested in good citizenship and provide educational resources to deserving students who may not otherwise have access to them.
More information on the Order of Australia Association or their foundation can be found at: https://theorderofaustralia.asn.au/
Australia is one of the most sought travel destinations in the world. It is home to the world’s oldest cultures and world-famous natural wonders. It offers, unique wildlife, miles and miles of golden beaches, spectacular capital cities and the infamous outback. Australia delivers some of the most unique experiences which are almost impossible to find anywhere else in the world. For more information visit Australia’s official travel site at https://www.australia.com/en-us
For more information on Australia’s Honors system, visit the Australian Honours and Award Office website at: https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards
