The Florence Nightingale Medal has been awarded to nurses or nursing aides since 1920 for "exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to civilian victims of a conflict or disaster" or "exemplary services or a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education.
The medal is awarded every two years, with the five Australians among just 31 nurses honoured in this years awards.
Ms Anne Carey Registered nurse. Active in conflict and disaster situations, notably in the running of the Red Cross Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone.
Ms Catherine Fry Registered nurse. Australian Red Cross health delegate. Active in conflict and disaster situations.
Ms Ruth Jebb Registered nurse. Australian Red Cross health delegate. Active in conflict and disaster situations.
Ms Barbara McMaster Registered nurse. Australian Red Cross health delegate. Active in conflict and disaster situations.
Ms Catherine Salmon Registered nurse. Australian Red Cross health delegate. Active in conflict and disaster situations.
The five Australians honoured have shown extraordinary courage and selfless dedication in the face of danger, death and disease in the finest traditions of both the nursing profession and the ideal of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
