Collar of the Knight Grand Cross awarded to Sir Edmund Barton

The Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) was awarded to Edmund Barton in 1902—ceremonial recognition from Britain for his personal role in fostering the Commonwealth of Australia into existence. Barton was one of the strongest and most influential advocates for Federation, and Australia’s first prime minister. As prime minister of the first Commonwealth parliament Barton was essentially responsible for realising the necessary infrastructure for the new federation, such as the public service, the High Court (in which he later served as one of the inaugural judges) and the mechanisms of State-Commonwealth relations. The Collar of the Knight Grand Cross comprises crowned lions of England alternating with white enamelled Maltese crosses and the cyphers SM (St Michael) and SG (St George). The centre of the collar comprises two winged lions each holding a book and seven arrows and surmounted by an imperial crown. Two similar lions are at the opposite side of the collar.