First awarded in 2017 to Mike Donnelly, the BHA Medal recognises an individual’s exemplary contribution to the advancement of barbershop in Australia.   It will be awarded to a current BHA member in good standing who has consistently “put in” for barbershop.

The award is made for sustained outstanding leadership, innovation, influence or initiative development, which has resulted in an exemplary, transparent and publicly evident advancement of BHA. They will be recognised nationally for their sustained contribution for the association, their club, their community, or behind the scenes.    In limited circumstances, individuals may also be considered for nomination whilst no longer an active member due to retirement on the basis of incapacity.

Each nomination will be assessed by a subcommittee of independent (i.e. not involved in nominating or being a nominee) BHA members appointed by the BHA Council. If awarded (at the absolute discretion of the BHA Council), the BHA Medal will be presented at the next available national convention.

The award is kindly sponsored by Derek Cosburn, who said “Since my first introduction to barbershop singing at Dreamworld in about 1981-2, I have been the recipient of a quite a few medals during the time I’ve been involved, and I have for a number of years had the thought that I’d like to give back in some small way. I would like to help in the promotion of a medal that I’d hope would have some meaning to the recipient, and to all members within our society who may not attain one through singing, but deserve one because of other efforts.”

• Leadership
• Innovation
• Influence
• Initiative Development
• Membership and participation generation
• Coaching and education contribution
• Event organising
• Selflessness in consistently supporting and helping others
• New club/chorus generation
• Promotion of barbershop
• Length of service to BHA and/or club/chorus
• Achievement beyond national boarders
• Musical influence - Arranging skills and willingness to share those arrangements

The nomination must include the rationale for nomination, details of nomination criteria and supporting evidence, certification of the BHA members supporting the nomination and contact details for follow up with regards to the nomination.

Most importantly, in relation to the criteria above (or any other criteria thought relevant) the evidence of the nominee’s contribution to the advancement of BHA needs to be clearly stated.

At this time it is envisaged that nominations will be treated in confidence as only one BHA medal will be awarded each year, however, at the discretion of the BHA Council, Nominees and a summary of the reason for their nomination may be read out at the presentation ceremony and be accorded with due applause and acknowledgement.    The winner will then be presented with the medal.

A Life Member may be nominated for the BHA Medal, as the criteria used to award the Life Membership are not the same used to award the BHA Medal.

Nominations must be received by the BHA Executive Officer, Jeannie Hattendorf admin@barbershop.org.au, by close of business on Tuesday 28th August 2018.