Mayor Ian Tiley requested council give up to $1000 to the Order of Australia Association (OAA) New England North West branch for the acquisition and inscribing of an honour board for local Order of Australia recipients and affiliates if its community grant application is unsuccessful.

Cr Tiley also requested council meet the cost of installing the board at the Armidale War Memorial Library, in his minute to the council meeting on Wednesday.

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"If the grant application is unsuccessful, I will contribute as a personal donation up to $1000 to the Order of Australia Association New England North West branch," he said.

"Recognising and preserving a public record of the region's outstanding citizens in the Armidale War Memorial Library is a fitting project to honour those who have achieved so much.

"It would also be a mark of respect to these citizens and their families and friends."

Cr Tiley said he had representations on the matter from Mrs Maria Hitchcock as a member of the NSW committee of the Order of Australia Association and communications officer of the New England North West branch.

"I am advised that the association is wishing to see local Order of Australia recipients and Affiliates (PSM, APM, AFSM, ESM and ACM) recognised by their communities for the contribution they have made over the years," he said.

This action is being pursued throughout the New England North West region and beyond through the installation of honour boards in local libraries or council offices, Mrs Hitchcock advised.

"Listings on boards have already been achieved at Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Narrabri and Walcha councils," Cr Tiley said.

"There are 125 Order of Australia recipients in the Armidale Regional Local Government area beginning with Professor Gordon Lee McClymont AO who was conferred on Australia Day 1977."

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An Armidale regional honour board has been costed with the support of the Armidale Men's Shed and AOK signs, and the OAA believes that the board could be produced and inscribed for approximately $1000 while supporting local business.

The board will be made of polished timber 900mm wide by 1100mm high, which will allow for three columns of gold lettering.

"There would be enough space to add names as they are recognised in the Australia Day and Queen's Birthday lists for the next few years, Cr Tiley said.

"Given Armidale Regional Council's financial position, the OAA sub-branch has resolved to apply for a community grant for this cost in the latest funding round."

Should the grant application be, successful Cr Tiley said the council would only be asked to install the honour board in the Armidale War Memorial Library.

The motion was unanimously carried by council.

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