# Australian Antarctic Medal

The Australian Antarctic Medal (stylised AAM as post-nominal), originally designated the Antarctic Medal until 18 December 1997, is a meritorious service award of the Australian honours and awards system, instituted by Letters Patent on 2 June 1987 (amended 18 December 1997 and 13 December 2011).
Unique among the Australian meritorious service awards, the Australian Antarctic Medal may be awarded to the same person more than once. The medal may be awarded to anyone who has given outstanding service in connection with an Antarctic expedition, in scientific research, exploration, or in support of such work. Except in exceptional circumstances however, the medal will only be awarded if the nominee has also worked at least 12 months (cumulative) in Antarctic climates south of latitude 60° South, or in similar climate and terrain conditions elsewhere in the Antarctic region.
The Australian Antarctic Medal is also unique in that (other than the first time when it was awarded, which occurred on 22 June 1987) awardees are announced in their own Midwinter's Day (21 June) awards list.
The Australian Antarctic Medal has only in one instance been awarded to the same person twice - to Graham Robertson - and only four times posthumously (to Howard Burton, Neil Adams, John Oakes, and Patrick Quilty AM).

## Design

The Australian Antarctic Medal is a nickel-silver octagonal medal, 32 mm in diameter, ensigned with a hexagonal ice-crystal device, surmounted by a plain suspender bar. The obverse (front of the medal) bears a depiction of the Southern Hemisphere showing Australia and the Antarctic enclosed by the inscription "FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN THE ANTARCTIC".
The reverse (back) of the Australian Antarctic Medal has an Antarctic expeditioner outside Mawson's hut, leaning into a blizzard as they use an ice-axe.
The Australian Antarctic Medal is suspended on a 32 mm snow-white moire ribbon, with 3 mm edging of three shades of blue that merge into the white of the ribbon (representing the transition of water to ice as one approaches Antarctica). A date bar, being a nickel-silver clasp of 30 mm wide and 6 mm high, inscribed with the year the eligible service was rendered, is attached to the ribbon of the medal.
Second and subsequent awards of the Australian Antarctic Medal are recognised by the awarding of another nickel-silver date bar clasp, worn on the ribbon above the medal (and positioned above any earlier date bar clasps), and by the use of 9 mm replicas of the ice-crystal device for each subsequent award on the ribbon bar (worn on uniforms when not wearing the medal).
The miniature of the Australian Antarctic Medal is a half-sized replica of the medal, suspended from a miniature of the ribbon that is 16 mm wide. Half-sized replicas of date bar clasps are worn on the ribbon of the miniature medal.
A lapel badge, being a 10 mm wide replica of the hexagonal ice-crystal device used on the medal, is also provided to awardees.

## History

Prior to 2 June 1987, eligible service on Australian Antarctic expeditions (known as Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions at that time) was recognised by the Polar Medal under the Imperial honours system.

### Origins

When Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke came to power in 1983, he declared his government would no longer be making any recommendations for Imperial honours and awards. The Australian Antarctic Names and Medals Committee, which had been set up by Ministerial appointment, declared at its meeting of 3 December 1984 that an Australian award should be created to honour outstanding achievement in the Australian Antarctic Territory, including for scientific achievement and exploration, and outlined some design specifications for the proposed medal. On 26 January 1986, Hawke announced the intention to seek Letters Patent for a new meritorious service award to recognise extraordinary service in the Antarctic region by Australian polar expeditioners, to be called the Australian Antarctic Medal.
Initial designs of the medal were drafted by Michael Tracey, but the Australian Antarctic Names and Medals Committee expressed some dissatisfaction with some of his design elements, and Stuart Devlin AO CMG replaced him as designer (although Tracey's map on the obverse of the medal was retained). Stuart Devlin's final design was approved by the government on 21 January 1987.
On 2 June 1987, the Queen of Australia, Elizabeth II, issued Letters Patent instituting the Antarctic Medal.

### Production delays

Although 16 inaugural awardees of the Antarctic Medal were announced on 22 June 1987, covering meritorious service as far back as 1981, extended production delays with the Antarctic Medal and its ribbon resulted in it taking two years before these medals were presented to them.

### Renaming and post-nominals

In 1993, the then Keating federal government established a Review of Australian Honours and Awards Committee, to make recommendations about the Australian honours and awards system. The committee delivered its report in 1995, and one of its recommendations was that the Antarctic Medal be renamed the Australian Antarctic Medal, and be granted the post-nominal AAM (the preceding Imperial Polar Medal and the Antarctic Medal had no entitlement to use of a post-nominal).
On 18 December 1997, the Queen of Australia, Elizabeth II, issued Letters Patent authorising the amendment of the original Letters Patent to change the designation of the Antarctic Medal to the Australian Antarctic Medal and authorised the use of the AAM post-nominal to those who had been awarded this medal.

### Expansion of eligibility

Prior to 13 December 2011, the conditions for the award of the Australian Antarctic Medal were that, except in exceptional circumstances, only those who had accumulated 12 months or more in Antarctic climate and terrain conditions, and who had given outstanding service in (either directly, or in support of) scientific research or exploration, in the course of, or in connection with, an Australian Antarctic expedition were eligible to be considered for this meritorious award.
On 13 December 2011, the Queen of Australia, Elizabeth II, issued Letters Patent authorising the amendment of the original Letters Patent (and its regulations) to allow eligibility for the Australian Antarctic Medal to be expanded so that persons representing an Australian agency or institution on foreign Antarctic expeditions could also be considered for this medal.

## List of recipients

As at Midwinter's Day (21 June) 2020, the Australian Antarctic Medal (also known as the Antarctic Medal prior to 1998) has been awarded 104 times to 103 individuals (one person has received the medal twice). In four cases the medal was awarded posthumously. Apart from its inaugural award, which occurred on 22 June 1987, it has always been awarded on Midwinter's Day, although in some years no awards have been made (2003, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019).
From 1987 to 1991, no short citation was given when the medal was awarded. From 1992 to 1997, the short citation For outstanding service in connection with Australian Antarctic expeditions was used. In 1998, the short citation For outstanding service in support of Australia's Antarctic Program was used. From 1999 to 2011 the short citation For outstanding service in support of Australian Antarctic expeditions was used. Generic short citations were replaced with individual short citations from 2012 until 2016, when short citations were no longer given.
The only awardee to have received the Australian Antarctic Medal twice (where an additional clasp is given to the recipient, to place on the ribbon of the medal, and the ice crystal device is worn on the ribbon bar, when the medal is not worn) is Graham Robertson (who received his medal in 1989, and his additional clasp in 2012).
The four posthumous awards made to date are to Howard Burton (d. 5 November 1993) in 1994, Neil Adams (d. 23 March 2012) in 2012, John Oakes (d. 23 July 2016) in 2018, and Patrick Quilty (d. 26 August 2018) in 2020.
| Date awarded | Name | Post-nominals | Details |
| 22 June 1987 | Ricky Besso | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Carpenter (Davis 1985) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | David Andrew Blaby | AAM | For outstanding service as Plant Inspector (Mawson 1980) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Harry Roy Burton | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (biology, limnology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | John Gerard Corcoran | AAM | For outstanding service (Casey 1980) in Antarctic exploration (surveying) and in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Charles Henry Lewis Cosgrove | AAM | For outstanding service (Mawson 1982) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Malcolm Charles Ellson | AAM | For outstanding service (Davis 1985) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Anthony Peter Everett | AAM | For outstanding service (Mawson 1985) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Lloyd Douglas Fletcher | AAM | For outstanding service as Medical Officer (Casey 1986) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Raymond John Morris | AAM | For outstanding service (Davis 1985) in Antarctic scientific research (physics) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Robert Campbell Orchard | AAM | For outstanding service as Communications Officer (Davis 1984) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | David Arnold Pottage | AAM | For outstanding service (Mawson 1985) in Antarctic scientific research (meteorology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Donald Alexander Reid | AAM | For outstanding service as Carpenter (Davis 1986) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Shane Anthony Rollins | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Diesel Mechanic (Davis 1982) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Ulrich Schmitter | AAM | For outstanding service as Cook (Casey 1980) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Peter Graham Sullivan | AAM | For outstanding service as Medical Officer (Davis 1985) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 22 June 1987 | Herman Henk Edward Westerhof | AAM | For outstanding service as Radio Technical Officer (Casey 1981) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1988 | Ian Frederick Allison | AO, AAM, FAA | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (glaciology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1988 | Martin Stephen Betts | AAM | For outstanding service as Voyage Leader in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1988 | Neil Joseph Conrick | AAM | For outstanding service as Carpenter (Macquarie Island 1987) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1988 | Maxwell Cecil Dietrich | AAM | For outstanding service as Foreman (Mawson 1986) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1988 | William Leslie Robinson | AAM | For outstanding service as Chef (Casey 1987) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1988 | Bernard William Sorensen | AAM | For outstanding service as Chef (Mawson 1986) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1989 | Denise Mary Allen | AAM | For outstanding service (Davis 1988) in Antarctic scientific research (meteorology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1989 | Willem Philip Barnaart | AAM | For outstanding service as Station Leader (Mawson 1988) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1989 | David Rockley McCormack | AAM | For outstanding service as Plant Inspector (Mawson 1988) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1989 | Daniel Henry O'Reilly | AAM | For outstanding service as Construction Services Leader (Davis 1988) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1989 | Russell Albert Rachinger | AAM | For outstanding service as Station Leader (Casey 1987) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1989 | Graham George Robertson | AAM | For outstanding service (Mawson 1988) in Antarctic scientific research (biology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1989 | Diana Lynn Williams | AAM | For outstanding service (Heard Island 1986) in Antarctic scientific research (medicine) and in support of general expedition duties as Medical Officer. |
| 21 June 1990 | David John Grant | AAM | For outstanding service (Mawson 1989) in Antarctic scientific research (meteorology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1990 | Roderick Bentley Ledingham | AAM | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1990 | Robert John Tingey | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (geology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1990 | Dudley Raymond Twigg | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Technical Officer (Radio) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1990 | Egon Wehrle | AAM | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1990 | Charlie Robert Reid Weir | AAM | For outstanding service (Macquarie Island 1989) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1991 | Peter James Gormly | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Medical Officer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1991 | Graham John Mills | AAM | For outstanding service as Plant Inspector (Davis 1990) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1991 | Eric William Osborn | AAM | For outstanding service as Carpenter (Davis 1990) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1991 | William Royce Ware | AAM | For outstanding service in support of meteorological science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1992 | Murray James Hotchin | AAM | For outstanding service as Electrical Works Supervisor in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1992 | Jeffrey Roger Mackereth | AAM | For outstanding service as Electrical Fitter (Macquarie Island 1991) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1992 | Richard Williams | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (marine biology) and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1993 | Albert Bruehwiler | AAM | For outstanding service as Plant Inspector (Mawson 1990) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1993 | David James Hasick | AAM | For outstanding service as Station Leader (Mawson 1992) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1993 | Knowles Ronald Kerry | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (biology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1993 | Paul John Munro | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Electrical Fitter (Mawson 1992) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1993 | Ray James Pike | AAM | For outstanding service as Construction Foreman (Mawson 1992) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1994 | Russell James Brand | AAM | For outstanding service as Plant Inspector in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1994 | Howard Douglas Burton | AAM | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1994 | Geoffrey James Moore | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (biology) and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1995 | Erwin Erb | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (biology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1995 | Peter Damian Franzmann | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (microbiology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1995 | Norman Leigh Hornsby | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Helicopter Pilot in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1995 | Robert Patrick Kiernan | AAM | For outstanding service (Davis 1994) in Antarctic exploration (surveying) and in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1995 | Vincent Ivor Morgan | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (glaciology) and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1995 | Meredy Jayne Zwar | AAM | For outstanding service as Chef (Mawson 1994) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1996 | Judith Rebekah Clarke | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (biology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1996 | Trevor Michael Craven | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (glaciology) and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1996 | Robert Tracy Jones | AAM | For outstanding service as Station Leader (Mawson 1994) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1996 | Allen Carey Rooke | AAM | For outstanding service as Communications Officer (Macquarie Island 1994) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1996 | Lloyd Peter Symons | AAM | For outstanding service as Electronic Engineer (Davis 1995) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1997 | Paul Robert Delaney | AAM | For outstanding service as Construction Foreman (Mawson 1996) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1998 | Robert Leslie Easther | AAM | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 1999 | Michael Robert Whittle | AAM | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2000 | John Joseph Jones | AAM | For outstanding service as Trades Team Leader (Davis 1998) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2000 | Nicolas Andrew Mortimer | AAM | For outstanding service as search and rescue team member (Mawson 1999) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2000 | Andrew Jason Reinke | AAM | For outstanding service as search and rescue team member (Mawson 1999) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2000 | Garry Iain Watson | AAM | For outstanding service as search and rescue team member (Mawson 1999) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2000 | Madeleine Wilcock | AAM | For outstanding service as Medical Officer (Mawson 1999) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2001 | Alan Elcheikh | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (glaciology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2001 | Joseph Vaughan Johnson | CSC, OAM, AAM, RFD, ED | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2001 | Ian John McLean | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Communication Technical Officer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2001 | Dale Allan Main | AAM | For outstanding service as Communication Technical Officer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2001 | Peter Helmut Sprunk | AAM | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2001 | Michael Stephen Stone | AAM | For outstanding service as Plant Inspector (Casey 1999) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2002 | Jonathan James Reeve | AAM | For outstanding service as Marine Science Support Manager in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2004 | Patricia Margaret Selkirk | AC,AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (terrestrial science) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2005 | Geoffrey Reginald Copson | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (biology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2005 | Andrew Graeme Tink | AAM | For outstanding service as Chef in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2006 | Per Brun Larsen | AAM | For outstanding service as Bo'sun (RSV Aurora Australia) in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2007 | Sharon Rae Labudda | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Aircraft Ground Support Officer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2008 | Matthew Wayne Filipowski | AAM | For outstanding service as the Wilkins Runway Construction Supervisor in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2009 | David Ernest Pullinger | AAM | For outstanding service in position of Helicopter Pilot in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2011 | Murray Patrick Doyle | AAM | For outstanding service as Master of the RSV Aurora Australis in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2011 | Stephen Nicol | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (marine biology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2012 | Graham George Robertson | AAM and Clasp | For continued outstanding research on seabird mortality in long line fisheries. |
| 21 June 2012 | Neil David Adams | AAM | For outstanding contributions to the development of the science of Antarctic meteorology. |
| 21 June 2012 | James Doube | AAM | For outstanding contributions to the theory and practice of polar medicine. |
| 21 June 2012 | Stephen Rich Rintoul | AAM | For outstanding contributions as Leader, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Oceans Program. |
| 21 June 2013 | Scott Francis Laughlin | AAM | For outstanding service to the Australian Antarctic program as a crew member and Master of the RSV Aurora Australis. |
| 21 June 2013 | Barbara Christine Wienecke | AAM | For outstanding service to research into sea birds and the effect of commercial fishing operations on sea bird populations. |
| 21 June 2016 | John Frederick Cadden | AAM | For outstanding service as Expedition Medical Officer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2016 | Kym Blair Newbery | AAM | For outstanding service as Electronics Engineer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2016 | Robert William Rowland | AAM | For outstanding service as Plumber in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2018 | Graham David Cook | AAM | For outstanding service as Station Leader in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2018 | Garry Studd | AAM | For outstanding service as Senior Pilot in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2018 | Martin Travers Tucker | AAM | For outstanding service as Fisheries Observer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2018 | John Alfred Oakes | AAM | For outstanding service as Helicopter Pilot in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2020 | Simon Cross | AAM | For outstanding service as Field Training Officer in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2020 | Bradley Allen Collins | AAM | For outstanding service as Refuelling Supervisor in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2020 | Alison Audrey Dean | AAM | For outstanding service as Station Leader in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2020 | Leanne Mary Millhouse | AAM | For outstanding service in support of science and general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2020 | Patrick Gerard Quilty | AM, AAM | For his outstanding contribution to Antarctic science. |
| 21 June 2020 | Colin Jeffrey Southwell | AAM | For outstanding service in Antarctic scientific research (biology) and in support of general expedition duties. |
| 21 June 2021 | Nicholas John Gales | AAM | For his outstanding contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program, particularly his leadership in Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research by developing a marine mammal program in the Southern Ocean. |
| 21 June 2021 | Timothy Price | AAM | For his outstanding contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program, particularly in his capacity as a trade supervisor, station leader and expeditioner, ensuring the effective operation of Antarctic Research Station infrastructure and communities. |
| 21 June 2021 | Patti Virtue | AAM | For her outstanding contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program, particularly in her efforts in mentoring and teaching the next generation of Antarctic ecologists. |
| 21 June 2021 | Donna Faye Wightman | AAM | For her outstanding contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program, particularly in her capacity as Chef and Deputy Station Leader, especially during the 2015-2016 transition of expeditioners following the grounding of the Aurora Australis. |
| 21 June 2023 | Robert Anders King | AAM | For his outstanding contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program, particularly through innovative research in marine biology. |
| 21 June 2023 | Aaron Charles Read | AAM | For his outstanding contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program, particularly through the establishment and leadership of the Wilkins Ice Runway Aerodrome in East Antarctica. |
| 21 June 2023 | Lisa Anne Wilkinson | AAM | For her outstanding contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program, particularly through advocacy for diversity and inclusion. |