Frank Dunstan Updated: Saturday 29 May 2010 My heroes rarely appear in the news, are paid nothing, and put themselves at risk in dangerous situations for an often uncaring community. Yet, many of them persist and continue their selfless service year after year. These true heroes wear the yellow overalls and jackets of the volunteer firefighter and this section describes how they can get recognition for their service.
I am sorry to have left out those other heroes who wear the black and white or green of the St John Ambulance volunteers, or the orange overalls of the NTES volunteers, but this is, after all, a firies' website. Below are links to just some of the awards that volunteers can be nominated for, or can apply for. NT Bushfire Volunteers Long and Meritorious Service Medal While there are no laws governing the wearing of awards by civilians, there are protocols which should be followed. There are also laws with severe penalties for fraudulently wearing medals to which the wearer is not entitled. Medals that are not included in the Australian Honours System are worn over the right breast. These include:
On Anzac Day some people wear their father’s, grandfather’s, etc. medals. These are worn over the right breast to signify that they were originally issued to another person. The Its an Honour website can provide more information. Miniature medals are normally only worn to formal functions at night (after 1800hrs) where the invitation states that medals (decorations) are to be worn. Unless you are a member of the cocktail set (and what volunteer bushfirie is?) your miniatures will be little more than ornaments stored away somewhere. |