Royal Humane Society of NSW Awards
We award Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and Certificates of Merit, plus special awards for minors and for acts of outstanding bravery. These are Presented by the Governor of New South Wales in an annual investiture at Government House, Sydney.
The Stanhope Medal
Awarded by The Royal Humane Society UKThe Galleghan Award
For an outstanding act of bravery in any one yearThe Sir Neville Pixley Award
A special award to recognise bravery by a young personGold, Silver and Bronze Medals
Group awards for team rescues
Certificate of Merit
Letter of Commendation
The Stanhope Gold Medal
The Stanhope Gold Medal was instituted in 1873 and is the highest award of the Royal Humane Society UK for bravery each year.
In 1962 all kindred Commonwealth Societies were included by invitation. The New South Wales Society’s nominees have won it on 14 occasions.
The Galleghan Award
The Galleghan Award is the NSW Society’s highest honour. It was instituted in 1996 and recognises the most outstanding act of bravery in a calendar year. It is distinguished by a bar reading ‘Galleghan Award’ affixed to the ribbon of the medal in question.
The award is named after Brigadier Sir Frederick Galleghan DSO OBE ISO ED who was the Society’s Secretary from 1958-1971. He was twice wounded in World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in World War II for his leadership and gallantry when commanding the 2/30th Battallion at the Battle of Germas in Malaya.
The Sir Neville Pixley Award
The Sir Neville Pixley Award is a special award to recognise bravery by a young person in the performance of a humane act.
It is named after Sir Neville Pixley MBE, GCStG, VRD, Lieutenant Commander of HMAS “Bundaberg” in WW2 and Chair of the Society from 1975-1984. It has been awarded on 40 occasions.
Medals
The Gold Medal is awarded for conspicuous bravery in circumstances of extreme peril.
The Silver Medal is awarded for conspicuous bravery in circumstances of great peril.
The Bronze Medal is awarded for conspicuous bravery in hazardous circumstances.
The obverse of each medal includes part of the Arms of the State of New South Wales, surrounded by the name of the Society. The reverse of the medal exhibits a Civic Wreath with the words “Awarded for Bravery’. The name of the winner and the date of the act of bravery is engraved on the reverse and the medal is numbered on its edge.
Wearing Medals
The Society’s medals or ribbons (as appropriate) are worn on the right breast. When only the ribbon is worn, a silver or bronze star emblem is worn centrally on it to denote the class of medal awarded to the wearer.
Team Awards
The Society also recognises teamwork in rescue situations. Crews of pilot vessels in Newcastle and Sydney harbours were awarded Certificates of Merit for ocean rescues in 1936 and 1937. Members of the Guthega Ski Patrol were awarded Certificates of Merit in 1997 for snow rescues.
Emergency services rescues are increasingly being carried out by teams of trained members and volunteers. The Society looks forward to more team awards in the future.
Certificate of Merit
The Certificate of Merit is awarded for bravery in extraordinary circumstances considered worthy of recognition.
The current design is a scroll bearing the Arms of the State of New South Wales, inscribed with the recipient’s name and the act of bravery and is signed by the President and Chair of the Society.
Letter of Commendation
Letters of Commendation are awarded in recognition of other acts of brave conduct worthy of recognition.
Presentation of Awards
The Governor of New South Wales presents the Society’s awards at an annual investiture at Government House, Sydney. After the ceremony recipients and their visitors are invited to meet the Governor, Councillors of the Society and representatives of the State Emergency Services. Recipients who cannot attend the investiture receive their awards by mail.
Replacement Awards
Lost or additional award medals and certificates may be purchased by contacting the Secretary.