Badge Description

The Queensland scarf badge Maltese cross is the cross symbol associated with the Order of St. John since 1567, with the traditional Knights Hospitaller and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and by extension with the island of Malta.  In the 15th century, the eight points of the four arms represented the eight lands of origin, or Langues of the Knights Hospitaller: Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castille and Portugal, Italy, Germany, and England (with Scotland and Ireland) [1].  In 1126, the eight points also symbolize the eight obligations or aspirations of the knights:

• to live in truth
• to have faith
• to repent one’s sins
• to give proof of humility
• to love justice
• to be merciful
• to be sincere and wholehearted
• to endure persecution

Today, the represents eight beatitudes (or ‘blessings’), of the First Aid Organisations, the Order of St John.  A good first aider in service of the Order of St. John is Observant, Tactful, Resourceful, Dextrous, Explicit, Discriminating, Persevering and Sympathetic.

The original crown represents the sovereign Queen Victoria, who granted the Queensland Coat of Arms in 1893.   However, the crown changes to keep in synchrony with the various British Monarchs.

“It is not known for certain why the Maltese Cross with a superimposed crown was chosen.  One popular theory is that as the Victoria Cross was first bestowed by Queen Victoria in 1857, at the close of the Crimean War, and as Queensland became a separate Colony in 1859, it would be a natural association of ideas to ally Queensland with the Victoria Cross which is itself a form of the Maltese Cross with Royal Arms and Lion superimposed.  Another theory is that there was a connection between the Maltese Cross and the first Governor’s wife, Lady Bowen.  Given that the Maltese Cross was not put forward until 1876, the former theory appears stronger.” [2}

Previous Badge Variations

The following are variations of the badge:

Type = Ribbon (Blue background – Sea Scouts) Various shades	Type = Ribbon	Type: Ribbon Various shades of green	Type: Embroided (Sea Scouts)	Type: Woven Issued 2018 [3]
50 x 53 mm; 53 x 48 mm	50 x 48 mm	50 x 50 mm; 50 x 45 mm	45 x 45 mm	58 x 58 mm
Ext	Ext	Ext	Current	Current