Symbols of Australia

By Daniella Pontigo 5/6Gold

THE AUSTRALIAN FLAG

The Australian National Flag was chosen by the Australian people in the year of the national federation (1901) from 32,823 entries in a public design competition. The popular contest was initiated by a publication, The Review of Reviews and made ofcial by the Commonwealth Government. The Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton was the master of ceremonies for the rst raising of the large blue national ag, measuring 11 x5.5 metres. The event was held on the 3 September 1901 when the ag was hoisted up above the then Commonwealth Parliament meeting place- the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Later 3 September was ofcially proclaimed as Australian National Flag Day to commemorate the day in 1901 on which the Australian ag was rst own.

The Symbolism
The Australian national Flag is a design of striking stars and crosses. This unique combination of devices has created an attractive and meaningful ag which by law, custom and tradition is Australia's chief National Symbol. Our ag should be treated with dignity and respect as it represents all Australian citizens equally, whatever background, race, colour, religion or age. Our ag is a reminder of the contributions of past and current generations.

The Crosses-The Saints

The three crosses, St George, St Andrew and St Patrick acknowledge the principles and ideals following from the British heritage of European Settlers; including parliamentary, democracy, the rule of law, freedom of speech and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

The Stars-The Southern Cross

The constellation of the Southern Cross indicates our geographical location in the southern hemisphere. This constellation of stars relates to the indigenous legends and reminds us of our rich and precious Aboriginal and Torres Strait heritage.

The Commonwealth Star-National Federation

The large seven pointed star is the emblem of Australian Federation. Six points represents the states and the seventh all the federal territories which together constitute the nation, the Commonwealth of Australia.

THE ABORIGINAL FLAG

The Australian Aboriginal Flag was designed by artist Harold Thompson and rst own at Victoria Square in Adelaide, South Australia, on National Aborigines day, 12 July 1997. In 1997, the Federal Court of Australia declared that Harold Thomas was the owner of the copyright in the design of the Aboriginal ag, and thus the ag has protection under Australian copyright law. Mr Thomas had sought legal recognition to his ownership and compensation following the Federal Government's 1995 proclamation of the design. His claim was contested by two others at the time, Mr Brown and Mr Tennant. Since then, Mr Thomas has awarded world rights solely to Carroll and Richardson Flag world Pty Ltd for the manufacture and marketing of the ag. It became the ofcial ag for the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra after it was rst own there in 1972. Since then, it has become a widely recognised symbol of the unity and identity of Aboriginal People.

In view of the ag's wide acceptance and importance in Australian society, the Commonwealth took steps in 1994 to give the ag the legal recognition After a period of public consultation, in July 1995 the aboriginal ag was proclaimed a 'Flag of Australia' under the Flags Act 1953. The Aboriginal Flag is divided horizontally into halves. The top half is black and the lower half is red. There is a yellow circle in the centre of the ag. The meanings of the ags are: Black- represents the Aboriginal people of Australia. Yellow circle- represents the sun, the giver of life and protector Red- represents the red earth, the red ochre used in ceremonies and Aboriginal peoples' spiritual relation to the land.

THE COAT OF ARMS

The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia that signies Commonwealth Authority and ownership. The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is used by Australian Government departments and agencies, statutory and non-statutory authorities, the Parliament and Commonwealth courts and tribunals. King Edward VII made the rst ofcial grant of coat of arms to the Commonwealth of Australia n a Royal Warrant dated 7 May 1908. King George V granted the second Commonwealth Coat of Arms in a Royal Warrant dated 19 September 1912. The signicant change was to include the symbols of the states on the shield.

1908 Commonwealth Coat of Arms

The arms were composed of a simple shield of white and blue enclosing a cross of St George on which there were ve six-pointed white stars, around the outside of which they were six small escutcheons, i.e. small shield was the crest containing the seven-pointed gold star of Federation on a wreath of white and blue. The motto 'Advance Australia' was inscribed at the base.
!

1912 Commonwealth Coat of Arms

! !

The absence of specic references to states in the shield in the 1908 Arms led to a number of alterations approved on the recommendations of the Commonwealth Government by King George V. The new design included a shield with six parts each containing a representation of the badge of state. The positions and poses of the supporters were also changed. The colours of the wreath of the crest were altered to gold and blue. These are the "livery" or identifying colours of the Arms. The new Arms were accompanied by small branches of wattle, ornamental rests for the supporters, and a scroll with the word "Australia" - none of which are actually mentioned in the 1912 Royal Warrant.

There are ten variations of the 1912 Arms - the colour version, four variations of the conventional Arms and ve variations of the stylised Arms.
! ! !

Commonwealth Coat of Arms (conventional)

Commonwealth Coat of Arms (stylised)

Descriptions of the 1912 Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

The blazon or ofcial description of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms is contained in the Royal Warrant. The blazon describes a coat of arms in heraldic terms, enabling accurate reproduction in any part of the world. Symbols of Australia 's six states appear together on the shield, which is the central feature of a coat of arms. The border of the shield symbolises federation. The kangaroo and emu are the native animals that hold the shield with pride. Some say the kangaroo and emu were chosen to symbolise a nation moving forward. This is based on the common belief that neither animal can move backward easily. A gold commonwealth Star sits above the shield. Six of the star's point represent the Australian states. The seventh point represents the territories. A wreath of gold and blues sits under the Commonwealth Star. Gold and blue are the Commonwealth Coat of Arms' livery or identifying colours.

Description of the Shield

Symbols of Australia's six states appear on the shield: New South Wales - the Cross of St George with lion and stars Victoria - the Southern Cross Queensland - a blue Maltese Cross and Crown South Australia - the Australian piping shrike Western Australia - a black swan Tasmania - a red walking lion

First Quarter (representing New South Wales)

Background silver, featuring the Cross of St George containing an heraldic gold lion, walking to the wearer's right (viewer's left), three paws on the ground, the right forepaw being raised, the head turned so as to face the spectator and the tail curved over the back, and on each arm of the cross an eight-pointed gold star.

Second Quarter (representing Victoria)

Background blue, containing ve stars, one of eight points, two of seven points and one of ve points (the constellation of the Southern Cross) with an Imperial Crown in normal colours placed above the rst star.

Third Quarter (representing Queensland)

Background silver, containing a blue Maltese Cross surmounted by an Imperial Crown in normal colours.

Fourth Quarter (representing South Australia)

Background gold, containing an Australian Piping Shrike perched on a twisted band of green and red (the bird has its back to the viewer).

Fifth Quarter (representing Western Australia)

Background gold featuring a black swan swimming to the wearer's left (viewer's right).

Sixth Quarter (representing Tasmania)

Background silver, featuring a red lion waking to the wearer's right (viewer's left) three paws on the ground, the right forepaw being raised, the head looking forward and the tail curved over the back.

STATE SYMBOLS

Australian Capital Territory The Nation's Capital

Animal:! No Ofcial Emblem Floral:!! Faunal:! Marine:! Royal Bluebell Gang-Gang Cockatoo No Ofcial Emblem

New South Wales The First State

Animal: ! Platypus Floral: ! Waratah

Faunal: ! Kookaburra Marine: ! Blue Groper

Northern Territory Outback Australia

Animal: ! Red Kangaroo Floral: ! Faunal:! Sturt's Desert Rose Wedge-Tailed Eagle

Marine: ! No Ofcial Emblem

Queensland The Sunshine State

Animal:! Floral: !

Koala Cooktown Orchid

Faunal: ! Brolga Marine:! No Ofcial Emblem

South Australia The Festival State

Animal: ! Hairy - Nosed Wombat Floral: ! Sturt's Desert Pea

Faunal: ! Piping Shrike (unofcial) Marine: ! Leafy Sea-dragon

Tasmania The Holiday Isle

Animal: ! Tasmanian Devil (unofcial) Floral: ! Tasmanian Blue Gum

Faunal: ! No Ofcial Emblem Marine:! No Ofcial Emblem

Victoria The Garden State

Animal: ! Leadbeater's Possum Floral: ! Common Heath

Faunal: ! Helmeted Honeyeater Marine: ! Weedy Seadragon

Western Australia The State of Excitement

Animal: ! Numbat Floral: ! Red and Green Kangaroo Paw

Faunal: ! Black Swan Marine: ! No Ofcial Emblem

AUSTRALIA DAY

Australia Day is on January 26 and commemorates the establishment of the rst European settlement at Pork Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. It is an opportunity for Australians to come together to celebrate their country and culture. There are reections on the achievements of the nation and explorations of way to make the country even better in the future. In some towns and cities, citizenship ceremonies are held on Australia Day.These are ceremonies to welcome the immigrants to the country who have been granted Australian citizenship. Although ofcial, these ceremonies often have a festive atmosphere. Australia Day is a public holiday in all states and territories. All schools and post ofces are closed. Some public transport services do not operate and others run a reduced service. Stores are often open but may have reduced opening hours. There may be some congestion on roads, particularly close to major event.

On January 26, 1788, the First Fleet of 11 ships from Great Britain arrived at Port Jackson, which now forms Sydney Harbour. The First Fleet was led by Captain Arthur Philip. He established the Colony of New South Wales, the rst penal colony in Australia. By 1808, January 26 was being celebrating as "First Landing Day" or "Foundation Day" with drinking and merriment. Thirty years after the arrival of the First Fleet, in 1818, the Governor of Australia ordered a 30-gun salute, hosted a dinner ball at Government House and gave government employees a holiday. in the following years, employees of banks and other organisations were also given holidays. In the following decades, horse racing and regattas were popular activities on January 26. In 1838, Foundation Day was Australia's rst public holiday. It was also the occasion of the rst public celebrations of the founding of Australia. The shores of Sydney Harbour were crowded and there was a rework display. By 1888, the centenary of the arrival of the First Fleet was celebrated with ceremonies, exhibitions, banquets, regattas, reworks and the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria.

By 1935, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states except New South Wales, where it was still called Anniversary Day. In 1938, large scale celebrations were held. These included a re-enactment of the landing of the First Fleet, which did not mention the convict status of many of the passengers on these ships. The re-enactment is included the removal of a group of Aborigines. Shortly before the celebrations, a group of Aboriginal activists arranged a "Day of Mourning". They used this to campaign for citizenship and equal rights for Aborigines. From 1946, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all sates, However, the public holiday was moved to the Monday nearest to January 26 to create a long weekend. Since 1994, the Australia Day public holiday has been on January 26 in all states and territories. The anniversary of the rst permanent European settlement in Australia is not a cause for celebration for all citizen. Indigenous Australians often feel that the celebrations on Australia Day exclude them and their culture, which was thriving for thousands of years before the arrival of the First Fleet.

The main symbols of Australia Day are the symbols of Australia. These include the Australian national ag, with its representations of the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the ve stars of the Southern Cross, and the national anthem "Advance Australia Fair". Other symbols include the Golden Wattle, which is the national oral emblem, the opal, which is the national gemstone and the national colours of green and gold.

ANZAC DAY

ANZAC Day is one of Australia's most important national commemoratives occasions. It marks the anniversary of the rst major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The Soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day. At the Australians War Memorial, the ceremony takes place at 10.15am in the presence of people such as the prime minister and the governor general. Each year the ceremony follows a pattern that is familiar to generations of Australians. A typical ANZAC Day ceremony my include the following features: an introduction, hymn, prayer, an address, laying of wreaths, a recitation, the Last Post, a period of silence, either the Rouse or the Reveille, and the national anthem. After the Memorial's ceremony, families often place red poppies beside the names of relatives on the Memorial's Roll of Honour, as they also do after Remembrance Day services.

Rosemary is also traditional worn on ANZAC Day, and sometimes on Remembrance Day. Rosemary has particular signicance for Australians as it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula. Since ancient times, this aromatic herb has been believed to have properties to improve the memory. During World War One, the friends and families of soldiers and community groups sent food to the ghting men. Due to the time delay in getting food items to the front lines, they had to send food that would remain edible, without refrigeration, for long periods of time that retained high nutritional value; the ANZAC biscuit met this need. The biscuit was rst known as the Soldier's Biscuit. The current name, ANZAC Biscuit, has as much to do with Australia's desire to recognise the ANZAC tradition and the ANZAC biscuits as part of the staple diet at Gallipoli.