are required to recite the code of chivalry at least once during their membership. many divisions will recite the code at the beginning or conclusion of every meeting. the code originates from the historical origins of st john ambulance – the venerable order of st john. the previous version of the code required cadets to 'serve god', but this was changed in the 1990s to 'serve my god' to avoid excluding those of no religion or those who are not christian. it has eight major points, representing the eight points of the maltese cross of the venerable order of st john. i promise to serve god to be loyal to the sovereign and to my officers to observe the mottoes of the order, which are: pro fide – for the faith pro utilitate hominum – for the service of mankind to be thorough in work and play to be truthful and just in all things to be cheerful and prompt in all i do to help the suffering and the needy and to be kind to all animals. awards cadets have their own awards system, separate to adult members. these include both exemplary conduct and service awards. awards are not worn on jumpers. exemplary conduct awards awards for exemplary conduct may vary throughout australia, but in most states/territories there is some form of 'cadet of the year' award, usually with one award for male cadets and one award for female cadets. they are awarded to recognise excellence in the cadet movement. divisions may also have their own unofficial awards, which can vary. grand prior's badge this is the second highest award that a cadet can receive and is awarded to cadets who have earned 12 proficiency badges, including the knowledge of the order badge and the family care badge. the first grand prior's badges in the world were awarded in 1933 to three cadets – two from the united kingdom and the other from australia; marion higgins from marrickville cadet nursing division. the award is worn on the left sleeve for as long as the cadet remains a member of the operations branch – even if they become an adult. commissioner's badge similar to the grand prior's badge, this award is the highest that any junior can achieve. it is awarded to juniors who have earned 10 interest badges and is worn on the right breast pocket of a shirt or battlejacket. southern cross award the southern cross award is designed to provide a flexible framework of personal development and achievement for members aged 16 to 25. the activities are not predetermined—youth members choose activities that are relevant to them. youth members also set their own goals, work within their own time-frames and make their own decisions about what activities will help them achieve their award goals. to complete this award youth members are required to progress through three levels: bronze, silver and gold, receiving a badge for each level completed. each level has four subject areas. youth members complete one activity from each of the subject areas for each badge moving progressively from bronze to gold. to find out all about the award and download an application form visit ayan opportunities the sovereign's award the sovereign's award is the premier youth award in st john internationally. this is the only award to bear the personal signature of the sovereign head of the order. it ranks immediately senior to the grand prior award. the sovereign's award is given to young members in recognition of outstanding work in three key areas: 1. personal development 2. benefit to st john ambulance australia 3. benefit to the community. the format in which the candidate presents their final work may be of their own choice, but it must: demonstrate a need for the project in the community include a written summary or equivalent portfolio of work of the project that is of a high standard where a written piece is submitted, include appropriate referencing/citation of any sources used where a creative/non-written work is submitted, include a short explanatory piece on the project's purpose, how the idea came about/the need demonstrated in the community, its development over time and how it will be used to benefit the individual, community or st john be finalised within a three-year period, but not less than 18 months, from the commencement date. service awards cadets are able to attend public duties and treat patients within their scope of practice, provided that they are supervised by an adult. to acknowledge their contribution to st. john's work, a number of service shields have been developed. they include 100-hour, 200-hour and 500-hour service shields. in 1978, the chief commissioner introduced the special service certificate, awarded to cadets who have completed at least 1000 hours of duties. other awards many other awards are available for cadets to wear and be awarded. these include external awards, such as the duke of edinburgh's award.