2017 Nursing Service Cross 20 cent coin

The Nursing Service Cross is awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force who demonstrate outstanding devotion and competence in the performance of nursing duties, or perform an act of exceptional dedication. Introduced in 1989, The Nursing Service Cross is a four-stepped silver cross inlaid with transparent red enamel. It is accompanied by a ribbon of white for purity, gold to represent the colour of sand and a red vertical stripe which is the colour of the sedge flower.

Staff Sergeant Kim Felmingham was awarded The Nursing Service Cross for her outstanding devotion to duty while providing medical assistance to East Timorese civilians following a vehicle accident near Dili on 14 January 2000. Kim was the first medic on the scene when a truck carrying about 30 East Timorese left the road and plunged down a cliff. Despite the large number of seriously injured personnel and limited medical supplies, she provided triage, treatment and support before coordinating the evacuation of casualties. According to her citation the reason “that all of the injured survived was largely due to her competency and skill”. Recognised for her professionalism and calm demeanour, Kim’s award was bestowed on her by Queen Elizabeth II. She has since been promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and is a Regimental Sergeant Major.