Australian National Flag

Australian National Flag

#1. The Australian National Flag is Australia’s foremost national symbol. 

#2. The flag was first flown in 1901 and has become an expression of Australian identity and pride. 

#3. The flag is an important part of national occasions such as Australia Day, Anzac Day, and  Australian National Flag Day. 

#4. The Australian National Flag is Australia’s foremost national symbol. The flag was first flown in 1901 and has become an expression of Australian identity and pride. 

#5. The Australian National Flag was designed by Ivor Evans, chosen over & above some 32,000 contenders.

#6. The Australian National Flag has three elements on a blue background. The Union Jack in the upper left corner (or canton) acknowledges Australia’s historical links with the United Kingdom. Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth Star. It has seven points representing the unity of the six states and the territories of the Commonwealth of Australia. The seventh point was added in 1908 and is the only change to the flag since 1901. 

#7. The Southern Cross is shown on the fly (or right hand side) of the flag in white. This constellation of five stars can be seen only from the southern hemisphere and is a reminder of Australia’s geography. 

#8. In 1901  Prime Minister the Rt Hon Sir Edmund Barton MP, announced an international competition to design a flag for the Commonwealth of Australia. Five near-identical entries were awarded equal first place from more than 30,000 designs. The designers shared the prize of £200.

#9. The Australian National Flag flew for the first time on 3 September 1901 from the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. 

#10. Australians celebrate the first time the Australian National Flag was flown  by flying or displaying the flag on 3 September.

#11. The  Flags Act  1953  proclaimed the Australian National Flag. 

#12. The flag can be flown every day of the year. As the nation’s foremost  national  symbol it should be treated with dignity and respect and there are protocols governing its use. 

#13. The size of the Australian National Flag over the Parliament house is 12.8 by 6.4 metres or slightly larger than the side of a double decker bus.