Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley is urging the community to make the effort to nominate their favourite teachers for an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
This is part of a campaign recently launched by Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, to ensure teachers are duly honoured.
In the last three years, 2020-22, more than 3000 people have been awarded an OAM. Only 11 were classroom teachers.
On Australia Day this year, a further 517 OAMs were awarded. Only one is a working teacher.
“Last August I convened a Teacher Workforce Roundtable in Canberra, attended by principals, teachers and other education experts,” Mr Clare said.
“One of the things teachers told me there was the need to raise the status of teaching and respect for the profession. This is just one way to do that.”
Ms Stanley said today it’s time to make a change and honour our local teachers by supporting this campaign.
“There are teachers in every community around Australia working hard in classrooms every day to provide children with the priceless gift of a good education,” Ms Stanley said.
“These teachers work long and passionately outside school hours and school weeks – including weekends and holidays – to prepare classes and give their all to ensure their students receive a rewarding learning experience.”
Ms Stanley said that many teachers spend years and decades devoted to their students and their profession and therefore deserve to be honoured with an OAM.
“I encourage everyone – parents, associations, and community groups – to get together and nominate our local grassroots teachers for an OAM,” she said.
There are four easy steps to nominating your favourite teacher for an Order of Australia Medal:
- Make sure the teacher is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and get the nomination form from Order of Australia Nomination Form (business.gov.au
- Fill out the nomination with teacher’s name and contact details and provide your contact details
- Explain why your teacher deserves an OAM
- List four referees to support your nomination
