Orders & Medals Research Society Australian Conference 2012

I have just returned from the very successful OMRS Australia Conference 2012 held in Canberra at the Mercure (formerly Olim's) Hotel from 19-21 October. Having been to the 2010 Conference, I can say that it continues to go from strength to strength with strong attendence this year, including several members from New Zealand. It's always great that collectors, researchers and historians can come together and share their knowledge and experience in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Happily, I was also able to have an 'Old China Hands' reunion with two other former members of the Hong Kong branch: Brian and Chris. Both are former Presidents of the HK Branch and I took over as Honorary Secretary from Chris in 2003. During the dinner held on the Saturday night Chris was also presented with the Society's Award of Merit in Gold in recognition of his contributions to medal collecting at large and the Hong Kong branch in particular. Well done Chris, a richly deserved award and long overdue. The Award comes with a certificate signed by the OMRS patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC. Brian was also there to talk about his new book on Corunna, his seventh military history publication. He brought several copies which were eagerly snapped up by the attendees.


Over the two days there were several presentations and a medal sale that included some spectacular lots including several Australian WWI casualties, a Royal Household group, several gallantry groups including MMs and MCs, and some foreign medals I was trying to sell but unfortunately didn't in the end. In the displays, some of the best groups I've seen in a long time included a Star of Courage group to an SAS soldier, and an OAM QPM group to an Australian policeman. There were also excellent displays ranging from the Boer War to the Dutch Expeditionary Cross.

As an aside, I was also able to pick up a great group to a Hong Kong fireman that somehow turned up in a dealer's auction in Canberra. It's a bit of a long story, so I'll leave it for another post.

What a great weekend it was, and full credit to the organisers Graeme and Mike. I can't wait until the next Conference in 2013!