Once you know what to look for, the lapel pins or badges that declare the wearer is a member of the Order of Australia are strangely distinctive – especially given they are so small.

Practised eyes can spot the gold sparkling discs – no bigger than a cough drop – from across a crowded room and register in a nanosecond the subtle differences that denote a particular honour. And those in the know are very particular about the particulars.