The Cross of Valour is Australia's highest civilian award for bravery. It was established in 1975 to replace the British George Cross previously awarded to Australians. 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... The George Cross (GC) is the highest Commonwealth decoration awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry not in the face of the enemy, while the Victoria Cross is awarded for valour in the face of the enemy. ...

The Cross of Valour is awarded "only for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril". The award carries the post-nominal initial of CV; awards may be made posthumously.

The insignia of the Cross of Valour is a gold, straight-armed cross pattée with diminishing rays between the arms, and the Australian coat-of-arms at the centre. The cross is surmounted by a crown below a suspension bar with the words 'For Valour'. The ribbon is magenta with a red central stripe. The German Hyghalmen Roll was made in the late fifteenth century and illustrates the German practice of repeating themes from the arms in the crest A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short), in European tradition, is a design belonging to a particular person (or group...

As of 2004, the Cross of Valour has been awarded to only five living recipients, three of which are for bravery after the Bali terrorist bombing of October 12, 2002. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bali Bombings Attacks against tourist locations in the Indonesian island of Bali 2002 Bali bombing 2005 Bali bombing ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

To date, two Australian Police Officers have been afforded this honour, one being a New South Wales Police Officer, Senior Constable Alan Sparkes CV, the other being a Western Australian Police Officer Senior Constable Timothy Ian Britten CV. This article or section needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ...

List of Recipients

2003

• Senior Constable Timothy Britten CV
• Mr Richard Joyes CV

1998

• Senior Constable Allan Sparkes CV

1995

• Mr Victor Boscoe CV

1989

• Mr Darrell Tree CV (First Ever Awardee)

See also

• Australian Honours System
• British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
• Cross of Valour - Canadian counterpart