5 Dollars - Elizabeth II 4th Portrait - Australian Bravery Medal - Silver Gilded

Features

Commemorative issue

Australian Bravery Medal

Obverse

The obverse features the George Cross, the names of its 22 recipients and a miniature effigy of the 4th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Lettering:
FOR GALLANTRY
LEON GOLDSWORTHY GEORGE GROSSE BENJAMIN HARDY ROBERT KAVANAUGH STANLEY GIBBS MICHAEL PRATT
RICHARD RICHARDS ERIC BAILEY JOHN MOULD ERROL EMMANUEL PATRICK TAYLOR HORACE MADDEN HUGH SYME ARTHUR BAGOT
JOHNATHON ROGERS JACK CHALMERS GEORGE TAYLOR RAYMOND DONOGHUE LIONEL MATTHEWS WILLIAM McALONEY RALPH JONES
ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2015

Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley

Reverse

Features the Cross of Valour and the name of its five recipients on the reverse and the denomination.

Lettering:
FOR VALOUR
RICHARD JOYES
TIMOTHY BRITTEN
ALLAN SPARKES
VICTOR BOSCOE
DARRELL TREE

FIVE DOLLARS

Edge

Continuous reeding

Mint

Comments

Marking the 40th anniversary of the Australian Honours System, this special coin acknowledges the fearlessness of those who have received the Cross of Valour and its predecessor, the Australian George Cross.

Cross of Valour
The Cross of Valour is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. It is the highest Australian Bravery Decoration. Anyone may nominate any other person for a bravery decoration and may be made posthumously. The nomination may be for a brave act by an Australian citizen in Australia or overseas.

Darrell Tree CV
Mr Darrell Tree CV was awarded the first Cross of Valour in 1989. On 14 August 1988 Mr Tree placed his life in danger repeatedly to save a three year old boy from electrocution. Mr Tree was, himself, electrocuted multiple times in his efforts, losing consciousness more than once.

Victor Boscoe CV
Mr Victor Boscoe CV received the Cross of Valour following his heroic actions on the morning of 13 September 1993. Mr Boscoe risked his life repetitively in pursing two armed men when he witnessed them fleeing from the scene of a robbery. Mr Boscoe continued to follow these men even when having multiple shots fired at him. Thanks to Mr Boscoe the police were given a detailed description of these armed robbers which greatly assisted in the conviction of the principal offender.

Allan Sparkes CV
In the morning of 3 May 1996, following extreme rainfalls in Coffs Harbour Mr Allan Sparkes and a colleague responded to an urgent call for assistance to rescue a boy trapped in a flooded underground storm water drain. Due to the strength of the current, and the lack of light, Mr Sparkes was forced to sacrifice his own safety to find and rescue the young boy.

Timothy Britten CV and Richard Joyes CV
On October 2002, Constable Timothy Britten and Richard Joyes placed their lives in danger to save others following a terrorist bombing in Bali. Constable Britten and Mr Joyes repeatedly entered Sari Club in Bali’s tourist centre to rescue a badly injured woman and search for survivors.? Despite being forced back many times by intense flames, these two men continued to return inside and was eventually able to carry the woman to an ambulance. Together these two men worked tirelessly to ensure that the wounded were helped by emergency services.

George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration in the United Kingdom and a status it held in Australia up until 1975 when the Cross of Valour was introduced.

Michael Pratt GC
Michael Pratt was awarded the George Cross Medal for putting his life on the line trying to foil an armed robbery. The event took place in Melbourne on 4 June 1976 and Mr Pratt was shot in the back at close range by one of the robbers while trying to detain his accomplice.

40th anniversary of the Australian Honours System
On 14 February 1975, the Australian Honours System was introduced to acknowledge the most outstanding contributions to the nation. In addition to the Order of Australia (for achievement or meritorious service to society) and the National Medal (which recognises 15 years of conscientious contributions in the police, defence or emergency services) are the Australian Bravery Decorations. These prestigious decorations are received in recognition of acts of incredible bravery and selfless heroism.

Prior to 1975, these acts of bravery were acknowledged with the George Cross. With the establishment of the Honours System, the Cross of Valour has been given in its place to honour “acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.” In the 40 years that have passed, it has been received by five people, whose courage and bravery inspire us today.

See also

• Cross

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