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).
| Australian Antarctic Medal | |
|---|---|
Medal and ribbon | |
| Type | Medal (Meritorious) |
| Awarded for | Outstanding service in scientific research or exploration, or in support of such work, in the course of, or in connection with, an Australian Antarctic expedition |
| Description | 32 mm nickel-silver octagonal medal, ensigned with a hexagonal ice-crystal device, surmounted by a plain suspender bar, and suspended on a 32 mm snow-white moire ribbon, edged with three shades of blue. |
| Presented by | Australia |
| Eligibility | Australian Antarctic expedition members and support staff |
| Post-nominals | AAM |
| Status | Active |
| Established | 2 June 1987 (as Antarctic Medal) |
| First awarded | 22 June 1987 |
| Last awarded | 2023 Special Honours |
| Total | 110 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 4 |
| Total recipients | 103 |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) |
| Next (lower) | Royal Victorian Medal (RVM) |
| Related | Polar Medal |
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).