RSL ANZAC Awards
To honour those who serve in peace and to perpetuate the memory and gallantry of those who served in war, the RSL established a series of national honours – the ANZAC Awards.
With a membership of around 149,000, and with additional membership within the Women’s Auxiliary, the RSL occupies a unique position to reach into the community at large. With some 1095 Sub Branches throughout Australia, many of which form a focal point of the community activity in their town or suburb, the League believes it can reach and honour those Australians whose work for others typifies so closely to the spirit and traditions of ANZAC yet who often go unrewarded.
These awards are designed so that those men and women amongst us can be recognised and honoured at a national level based on the recognition and nomination both of members of the RSL and also those within the community of which the RSL is such a major and visible part.
RSL Anzac Peace Prize
The RSL ANZAC Peace Prize, announced annually, is awarded by the RSL to ‘recognise any outstanding effort by an Australian citizen who has promoted the concept of international understanding and who, in so doing, has made a contribution to world peace.’
Eligibility: Any Australian citizen or one who has applied to become an Australian citizen. The Prize will recognise the efforts of ordinary people. Those recognised will be average Australians who, in some special and dedicated manner, have made a real contribution to international peace and goodwill. The Prize may also be granted to individuals and groups who collectively have achieved this aim. The nomination must not be made by someone related to the nominee or who lives in the same household.
The Award: The Prize is a silver medallion, struck by the Perth Mint, depicting the legendary ‘Simpson’ of Gallipoli and his donkey, presented in a specially designed presentation case. The Medallion is accompanied by a miniature silver lapel badge and a certificate setting out the nature of the Prize and the citation on which the award was given.
RSL ANZAC of the Year Award
The RSL ANZAC of the Year Awards are made annually ‘to recognise the efforts and achievements of up to seven Australians who have given service to their fellow Australians and to the community in a positive, selfless and compassionate manner.’
Eligibility: Nominations may be made on behalf of any Australian citizen, or one who has made an application to become an Australian citizen. The awards may be made to individuals or groups who have demonstrated the spirit of comradeship and selfless service embodied in the tradition of ANZAC. The nomination must not be made by someone related to the nominee or who lives in the same household.
The Award: The Awards are bronze medallions depicting ‘Simpson’ of Gallipoli and his donkey, and are presented in a specially designed presentation case. The Medallion is accompanied by a miniature bronze lapel badge for everyday wear and a certificate setting out the nature of the Award and the citation on which the award was given.
Presentation: The Prize is normally presented in conjunction with the local RSL State Conference.
Nominations
Nominations should be made to the appropriate State Branch of the RSL.
Nominations from organisations or individuals with citations/references giving full details of the nominees service and background should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Committee for the ANZAC Awards at the appropriate RSL State Branch shown below.
Nominations should be forwarded to the State Branches by mid-February, but please contact the State Branch for the exact cut-off date as they do vary.
ACT
PO Box 328
CAMPBELL ACT 2612
Ph: 02 6260 6344
NSW
Suite 11.02, Level
11/175 Pitt St
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9264 8188
QLD
PO Box 629
SPRING HILL QLD 4004
Ph: 07 3634 9444
SA
ANZAC House
Torrens Training Depot
Victoria Drive
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Ph: 08 8100 7300
TAS
PO Box 147
NEWTOWN TAS 7008
Ph: 03 6242 8900
VIC
ANZAC House
4 Collins Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 9655 5555
WA
PO Box 3023
Adelaide Terrace
EAST PERTH WA 6892
Ph: 08 9287 3799
JUDGING PANELS
Selection panels are established in each State Branch. Usually, each Chairman is the President of the RSL State Branch, who, with four other leading members of the community, forms the state panel.
The State Branch nominations are referred to a National Committee comprising the National President and a senior member of the RSL National staff, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia, a senior representative of the Honours & Awards Branch of the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet and two other leading members of the community appointed by RSL Australia, who bring to the task a wide ranging expertise in their own fields of endeavour.