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Vanuatu Consolidated Subsidiary Legislation

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Honours Regulations Order

Commencement: 31 August 1987
HONOURS REGULATIONS


Order 46 of 1987
Order 15 of 1991
Order 27 of 2005


ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS


PART 1 − INTERPRETATION

1. Interpretation


PART 2 − ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORDER OF VANUATU

2. Order of Vanuatu
3. Membership of Order
4. Appointment of persons to Order
5. Appointment to be signed by President
6. Prime Minister to recommend appointees
7. Registrar of Order
8. Awards Advisory Committee
9. Duties of Awards Advisory Committee
10. Nominations for appointments


First Class

11. Appointment as members in the First Class

  1. Entitlement to wear insignia

13. Badge of Honour
14. Miniature Badge of Honour
15. President to appoint members


Second Class

  1. Appointment as members in the Second Class
  2. Entitlement to wear insignia

18. Badge of Distinction
19. Miniature Badge of Honour
20. President to appoint members


Third Class

  1. Appointment as members in the Third Class
  2. President to appoint members
  3. Entitlement to wear insignia
  4. Vanuatu Distinguished Service Medal
  5. Miniature medal

Fourth Class

  1. Appointment as members in the Fourth Class

26A. President to appoint members to fourth class
27. Entitlement to wear insignia

  1. Vanuatu Meritorious Service Medal

29. Miniature medal


PART 3 − INSTITUTION OF THE VANUATU GALLANTRY MEDAL

30. Vanuatu Gallantry Medal
31. Eligibility for medal

  1. President to award medal on recommendation of Prime Minister
  2. Description of medal
  3. Registrar of Awards

PART 4 − INSTITUTION OF THE VANUATU LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

  1. Vanuatu Long Service Medal

36. Eligibility to medal
36A. Disqualification
37. President to award medal on recommendation of Prime Minister
38. Description of medal

  1. Description of clasp of medal
  2. Certificate of good character
  3. Register of Awards

PART 5 − INSTITUTION OF THE VANUATU GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL

  1. Vanuatu General Service Medal

43. Award for historic events
44. President to award medal on recommendation of Prime Minister

  1. Description of medal

46. Register of Awards


To establish the Order of Vanuatu, and to institute the Vanuatu Gallantry Medal, the Vanuatu Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Vanuatu General Service Medal.


PART 1 − INTERPRETATION


1. Interpretation

In these regulations −


“Act” means the Honours Act, Cap. 120;


“disciplined forces of Vanuatu” means the Vanuatu police force established under the Police Act, Cap. 105 and includes such other police force as may be specified by the President;


“Order” means the “Order of Vanuatu” established under regulation 2;


“Registrar of Awards” means the Registrar of Awards appointed under regulation 34;


“Registrar of the Order” means the Registrar of the Order appointed under regulation 7.



PART 2 − ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORDER OF VANUATU


2. Order of Vanuatu

An Order of honour to be known as the “Order of Vanuatu” (hereinafter called “the Order”) is hereby established for the purpose of granting recognition to citizens and other persons for achievements or distinguished service.


3. Membership of Order

The membership of the Order shall be classified into 4 classes namely –


(a) First Class;


(b) Second Class;


(c) Third Class; and


(d) Fourth Class.


4. Appointment of persons to Order

(1) Subject to the provisions of these regulations, a person appointed to the Order shall be appointed in any of the classes referred to in regulation 3.


(2) The names of the persons appointed to the Order shall be published in the Gazette.


5. Appointment to be signed by President

(1) Appointment to the Order shall be made by instrument signed by the President and sealed with the seal of the Order, and shall have effect from the date of affixing of the seal or if a later date is specified in the instrument from that date.


(2) The seal of the Order shall be the National Seal of the Republic of Vanuatu.


6. Prime Minister to recommend appointees

No appointment to the Order shall be made except on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.


7. Registrar of Order

(1) There shall be a Registrar of the Order, appointed by the President.


(2) The Registrar shall be in charge of the administration of the Order and shall hold office for a period of 2 years from the date of his appointment and shall be eligible for reappointment.


(3) The President is to determine the terms and conditions of employment of the Registrar of the Order.


8. Awards Advisory Committee
(1) An Award Advisory Committee is established.


(2) The Committee is to consist of eight members appointed by the President for two years and eligible for reappointment.


The members are to be paid a sitting allowance at the rate of VT 2,500 for a day or part of a day for which the committee meets.


9. Duties of Awards Advisory Committee

The Awards Advisory Committee shall −


(a) consider nominations of persons for appointment to the Order;


(b) make recommendations to the Prime Minister in relation to these nominations; and


(c) advise the Prime Minister on such other matters concerning the Order as he may refer to the Committee for consideration; and


(d) advise the Prime Minister on such matters concerning nominations of persons to receive medals and decorations under this Act.


10. Nominations for appointments

Any person or organization may submit to the Registrar of the Order for consideration by the Awards Advisory Committee a nomination of a person for appointment to the Order as a member of the First Class, or Second Class as the case may be.


First Class


11. Appointment as members in the First Class

Appointments as members in the First Class shall be made for eminent achievement of the highest degree in service to Vanuatu or to humanity at large.


12. Entitlement to wear insignia

Every member of the First Class shall be entitled to wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed for the members in the First Class of the Order.


13. Badge of Honour

(1) The insignia prescribed for the members of the First Class of the Order shall be known as the Badge of Honour.


(2) The Badge of Honour shall measure approximately 60 mm by 60 mm and shall be made of sterling silver, hard gold clad and consist of stylised curved pigs tusk, enamelled in white and set on crossed namele leaves, enamelled in green, the whole suspended by a ring.


(3) The Badge of Honour shall be worn suspended from the neck by a ribbon 32 mm wide which shall consist of 8 vertical stripes each 4 mm wide of red, black, yellow, green, red, black, yellow and green.


14. Miniature Badge of Honour

Members of the Order may wear suspended on the left breast a miniature of the Badge of Honour, which shall be half the size of the Badge of Honour and of the appropriate ribbon.


15. President to appoint members

The President may appoint to be members of the First Class not more than two members in any one year and there shall not be at any one time more than twenty members of the First Class.


Second Class


16. Appointment as members in the Second Class

Appointments as members in the Second Class shall be made for eminent service to Vanuatu in duties of great responsibility.


17. Entitlement to wear insignia

Every member of the Second Class shall be entitled to wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed for the members in the Second Class of the Order.


18. Badge of Distinction

(1) The insignia prescribed for the members in the Second Class of the Order shall be known as the Badge of Distinction.


(2) The Badge of Distinction shall measure 60 mm by 60 mm, and shall be made of sterling silver and consist of stylised curved pigs tusk, enamelled in white, the whole suspended by a ring.


(3) The Badge of Distinction shall be worn suspended from the neck by a ribbon 32 mm wide which shall consist of 8 vertical stripes each 4 mm wide of red, black, yellow, green, red, black, yellow and green.


19. Miniature Badge of Distinction

Members of the Order may wear suspended on the left breast a miniature of the Badge of Distinction, which shall be half the size of that Badge and the appropriate ribbon.


20. President to appoint members

The President may appoint to be members of the Second Class not more than five members in any one year and there shall not be at any one time more than fifty members of the Second Class.


Third Class


21. Appointment as members in the Third Class

Appointments as members in the Third Class shall be made for most distinguished service, rendered to Vanuatu.


22. President to appoint members

The President may appoint to be members of the Third Class not more than ten members in any one year and there shall not be at any one time more than one hundred members of the Third Class.


23. Entitlement to wear insignia

Every member of the Third Class shall be entitled to wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed for the members in the Third Class of the Order.


24. Vanuatu Distinguished Service Medal

(1) The insignia prescribed for the members in the Third Class of the Order shall be known as the Vanuatu Distinguished Service Medal.


(2) The Vanuatu Distinguished Service Medal shall be circular in shape, 38 mm in diameter and made of cupro-nickel silver and rhodium plated and the obverse of the medal shall show in relief a representation of the sun rising behind an island which is surrounded by the sea around which is a pair of namele leaves crossed at the bottom.


(2) The reverse of the medal shall have the inscription “FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE” surmounted by the word “VANUATU” with namele leaves crossed at the bottom and extending around the edge.

(3) The medal shall be suspended from a circular ring on a ribbon, 32 mm wide, consisting of 3 vertical stripes of black, green and red each 8 mm wide yellow vertical stripe at each side.

25. Miniature medal

The miniature shall be a true representation of the medal 19 mm in diameter suspended from a ribbon 16 mm wide.


Fourth Class


26. Appointment as members in the Fourth Class

Appointments as members in the Fourth Class shall be made for most valuable service rendered to Vanuatu.

26A. President to appoint members to Fourth Class
The President may appoint to be members of the Fourth Class not more than twenty members in any one year and there shall not be at any one time more than two hundred members of the Fourth Class.


27. Entitlement to wear insignia

Every member of the Forth Class shall be entitled to wear as a decoration the insignia prescribed for the members in the Fourth Class of the Order.


28. Vanuatu Meritorious Service Medal

(1) The insignia prescribed for the members of the Fourth Class of the Order shall be known as the Vanuatu Meritorious Service Medal.


(2) The Vanuatu Meritorious Service Medal shall be circular in shape, 38 mm in diameter and made of cupro-nickel silver and rhodium plated and the obverse of the medal shall show in relief a representation of the sun rising behind an island which is surrounded by the sea around which is a pair of namele leaves crossed at the bottom.

(3) The reverse of the medal shall have the inscription “FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE” surmounted by the word “VANUATU” with namele leaves crossed at the bottom and extending around the edge.

(4) The medal shall be suspended from a circular ring on a ribbon, 32 mm wide, consisting of 4 mm vertical stripes of black, yellow, red on 88 mm wide vertical stripe of green in the centre and then 4 mm wide vertical stripe of red, yellow and black.

29. Miniature medal

The miniature shall be a true representation of the medal 19 mm in diameter suspended from a ribbon 16 mm wide.


PART 3 − INSTITUTION OF THE VANUATU GALLANTRY MEDAL


30. Vanuatu Gallantry Medal

A medal to be known as the Vanuatu Gallantry Medal (hereinafter in this Part called the “medal”) is hereby instituted for the purpose of according recognition to persons who perform acts of bravery.


31. Eligibility for medal

(1) Subject to the provisions of these regulations, persons including the members of the disciplined forces are eligible to be awarded the medal.


(2) Persons who have performed acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril, acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances or acts of bravery which are considered worthy of recognition, shall be considered eligible to be granted the medal.

(3) There shall be no limit to the number of the Gallantry Medals which may be awarded.

32. President to award medal on recommendation of Prime Minister
(1) The award of the medal may be made by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.


(2) The names of the persons to whom the medal is awarded under this Part shall be published in the Gazette.


33. Description of medal

(1) The medal shall be circular in shape, 38 mm in diameter and made of cupro-nickel silver and rhodium plated and the obverse of the medal shall show in relief a representation of the sun rising behind an island which is surrounded by the sea around which is a pair of namele leaves crossed at the bottom.


(2) The reverse of the medal shall bear the inscription “FOR GALLANTRY” surmounted by the word “VANUATU” with namele leaves crossed at the bottom and extending around the edge.


(3) The medal shall be suspended from a circular ring on a ribbon, 32 mm wide consisting of 4 mm wide vertical stripes of green on either side of a 24 mm wide red stripe.


(4) The miniature of the medal shall be a true representation of the medal 19 mm in diameter suspended from a ribbon 16 mm wide.


34. Registrar of Awards

(1) There shall be a Registrar of Awards who shall be appointed by the President.


(2) The Registrar of Awards shall maintain a register of the names of persons to whom the medal has been awarded; and shall keep such other records relating to the award of the medal as the President may direct.



PART 4 − INSTITUTION OF THE VANUATU LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL


35. Vanuatu Long Service Medal

A medal to be known as the Vanuatu Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (hereinafter in this Part called “the medal”) is hereby instituted for the purpose of according recognition to members of the disciplined forces of Vanuatu, for long and good service rendered to Vanuatu.


36. Eligibility to medal

(1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, persons who are members of the disciplined forces are eligible to be granted the medal.


(2) The medal shall be awarded to members of the disciplined forces who, on or after 30 July, 1980 have completed 16 years in continuous service in the disciplined forces.


(3) A clasp to the medal may be awarded after the completion of 20 years continuous service in the disciplined forces.


(4) On the completion of each subsequent period of 4 years, a further clasp may be awarded.

(5) The period of service in the New Hebrides Constabulary before the 30th day of July 1980 shall be taken into consideration for the purpose of awarding a medal to members of the disciplined forces.

(6) For the purposes of this Part of these Regulations, a break in service in either the New Hebrides Constabulary or the Vanuatu Police Force for a period not exceeding 6 calendar months shall be deemed to be continuous service:

Provided that any such break in service arising out of a conviction under Regulation 36A(a) or (b) or (c) shall not be considered continuous service.


36A. Disqualification
Any member of the disciplined forces who has been convicted of –


a criminal offence, including a suspended sentence;


an offence under the Road Traffic Act [Cap. 29], including a suspended sentence; or


a disciplinary offence under the Police Act [Cap. 105],


shall not be entitled to be awarded a medal.


37. President to award medal on recommendation of Prime Minister
(1) The award of the medal or clasp to the medal may be made by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.


(2) The names of the persons to whom the medal or clasp to the medal is awarded under this Part shall be published in the Gazette.


(3) There shall be no limit to the number of medals which may be awarded.


38. Description of medal

(1) The medal shall be circular in shape, 38 mm in diameter and made of cupro-nickel silver and rhodium plated and the obverse of the medal shall show in relief a representation of the sun rising behind an island which is surrounded by the sea around which is a pair of namele leaves crossed at the bottom.


(2) The reverse of the medal shall bear the inscription “For Long Service and Good Conduct” surmounted by the word “VANUATU” with namele leaves crossed at the bottom and extending around the edge.


(3) The medal shall be suspended from a circular ring on a ribbon, 32 mm wide consisting of 16 vertical stripes, each 2 mm wide of red and green alternating.


39. Description of clasp of medal

(1) The clasp of the medal shall be made of cupro-nickel silver and shall be in the form of a namele leaf spring, 24 mm wide with a single pin attachment for securing to the ribbon.


(2) A small circular emblem, 8 mm in diameter made of cupro-nickel silver and bearing, in relief a representation of stylised curved pigs tusk, denoting the award of a clasp, shall be worn on the ribbon when the ribbon only is worn.


(3) The clasp and emblem may be worn on the ribbon of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, where such medal has been previously awarded.


(4) The miniature of the medal and clasp shall be the half size of the medal and clasp, respectively.


40. Certificate of good character

No person shall be recommended for the award of the medal or clasp unless it is certified by the Commissioner of Police that the person’s character and conduct have been exemplary.


41. Register of awards

The Registrar of Awards shall –


(a) maintain a register of the names of persons to whom the medal has been awarded; and

(b) keep such other records relating to the award of the medal as the President may direct.



PART 5 − INSTITUTION OF THE VANUATU GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL


42. Vanuatu General Service Medal

A medal to be known as the Vanuatu General Service Medal (hereinafter in this Part called the “medal”) is hereby instituted for the purpose of according recognition to persons who hold certain offices or of certain lengths of service or who have rendered good and special service to Vanuatu.


43. Award for historic events

The medal shall be awarded to mark historic events in Vanuatu.


44. President to award medal on recommendation of Prime Minister
(1) The award of the medal may be made by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.


(2) The names of the persons to whom the medal is awarded under this Part shall be published in the Gazette.


(3) There shall be no limit to the number of medals which may be awarded.


45. Description of medal

(1) The medal shall be circular in shape, 38 mm in diameter and made of cupro-nickel silver, rhodium plated, and the obverse of the medal shall show in relief a representation of the sun rising behind an island which is surrounded by the sea around which is a pair of namele leaves crossed at the bottom.


(2) The reverse of the medal shall bear the inscription “FOR SERVICE TO VANUATU” surmounted by the word “VANUATU” with namele leaves crossed at the bottom and extending around the edge.


(3) The medal shall be suspended from a circular ring on a ribbon, 32 mm wide consisting of 4 mm wide vertical stripes of red, yellow and green; an 8 mm wide vertical stripe of black in the centre and then 4 mm wide vertical stripes of green, yellow and red.


(4) A bar or bars, 32 mm wide, made of cupro-nickel silver, inscribed with the historic event or the name of the place at which the event occurred shall be attached to the ribbon and shall form part of the medal. Where two or more bars are awarded they shall be worn on the ribbon of a single medal.


(5) The miniature of the medal and bar shall be half the size of the medal and bar, respectively.


46. Register of awards

The Registrar of Awards shall –


(a) maintain a register of the names of persons to whom the medal has been awarded; and

(b) keep such other records relating to the award of the medal as the President may direct.



Table of Amendments


7(3) Inserted by Order 27 of 2005
8 Substituted by Order 27 of 2005
9(d) Inserted by Order 27 of 2005
26A Inserted by Order 27 of 2005
36(2) Substituted by Order 15 of 1991
36(5),(6) Inserted by Order 15 of 1991
36A Inserted by Order 15 of 1991


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