About Us

Welcome and Information for new members

Brief introduction to our Association

Our Purpose

The Association’s purpose is ‘to celebrate and promote outstanding Australian citizenship’. We aim to do this by:

• Enhancing the value of membership of the Association, by providing opportunities for activities, fellowship, and community engagement.
• Promoting awareness of, and nominations for an award in the Order of Australia that fully reflect our diverse Australian community.
• Recruiting Order of Australia recipients to join our Association.
• Engaging with our communities in partnerships and projects consistent with our purpose.

Our Organisation

We are an incorporated, national not-for-profit Association with over 8,000 members, based on a ‘federal’ model, with Branches in each State and Territory as well as groups in the UK and USA. Guidance and oversight of our activities is provided by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC).

Our management structure is:

• The National President provides broad policy advice to the Board and deals with Vice Regal matters.
• The National Board, with a director from each Branch elected by the members of that Branch (Branch Nominated Directors), plus five executive directors. The Board’s role is to provide strategic and policy guidance to the Association.
• The Executive Committee, comprising the five executive directors (National Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, Membership Director and Secretary). All are Board members. Any member of the Association may nominate for these positions, with election by the Branch Nominated Directors. The role of the Executive Committee is to execute Board policy.

  [Note: The Executive Committee role would normally be by a CEO appointed by the Board. The election process gives the Board control over the appointment of executive members]

• Committees of the Board develop policy for Board consideration. These include Audit & Risk, Strategy, Marketing, Investment, Constitution and Nomination.
• The Branch Chairs, who manage the Branch Committees in the execution of Board policy at state and territory level. The chairs and committees are elected by the members of the Branch.New Association members are invited to nominate the Branch to which they wish to belong.
• The Regional Groups, established as considered appropriate and desirable in a defined geographic area.

Governance

Our activities are carried out within the framework of our National Constitution, Bylaws and Policies, all which can be viewed on the OAA website at theorderofaustralia.asn.au/national/governance

Member Activities

The annual National Conference is held, on rotation, in the states and territories and is co-hosted by the appropriate Branch organisation. This is a great opportunity to make and renew friendships, network with contributing Australians, and discuss contemporary issues of concern and interest. It is also a chance to attend the Association Annual General Meeting and contribute member ideas to the running of the organisation.

Branches and Regional Groups host a variety of member activities. Receptions for new recipients in the Order of Australia are an opportunity to welcome these newly honoured Australians and to continue fellowship. Many hold lunches and dinners, often featuring notable speakers. Increasing adoption of IT allows regular newsletters, webinars, webcasts and other social media activities. Branches have their own dedicated pages on the OAA website at: theorderofaustralia.asn.au/national/home

The OAA Foundation oversees a Trust that provides Scholarships to support the next generation of leaders by helping promising young Australians achieve their potential for the benefit of future generations of Australians. Donations are tax deductible and can be made either to the Foundation general account or, if preferred, to an account set up on behalf of a Branch of the Association with a view to presenting scholarships in the Branch jurisdiction. The Foundation website is at oaafoundation.org.au

Nomination

Nomination for an award in the Order of Australia in recognition of outstanding achievement and service may be made for any Australian citizen, without government involvement. As a recipient you are encouraged to nominate other contributing Australians, and to increase community awareness of The Order of Australia.

The OAA website has valuable guidance on the Order and the preparation of a nomination at theorderofaustralia.asn.au/about-the-award

Merchandise

A range of attractive OAA-themed merchandise items can be viewed and purchased online at: theorderofaustralia.asn.au/shopping-cart

Wearing Your Award

Guidance on the wearing of Order of Australia medals, lapel pin replacement and ordering a name badge is on the OAA website at: theorderofaustralia.asn.au/national/faq

Our Board

Enjoy!