Why Is The Australian Flag At Half-mast Today 2021?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As a mark of mourning and respect

, and in accordance with protocol, the Australian National Flag and the New South Wales State Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Wednesday, 15 December 2021 in New South Wales from all buildings and establishments occupied by New South Wales Government departments and …

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Why are flags at half-mast on Sydney Harbour bridge today?

Flags are at half-mast on the harbour bridge today as

a mark of mourning and respect for former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser

.

What flag is on the Sydney Harbour bridge?

“The flags flying from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge are wonderful symbols of our heritage and identity. However,

the Aboriginal flag

does not fly permanently atop of the Sydney Harbour bridge.” For context, the Aboriginal flag flies atop the bridge a total of 19 days a year.

What happened at the opening of the Sydney Harbour bridge?

On

19 March 1932

the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened to the public. The event marked the end of almost a century of speculation and planning around a bridge or tunnel that would cross the harbour. In 1922 the New South Wales Parliament passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act and preparation for the building got underway.

Can you fly a foreign flag in Australia?


The Australian National Flag takes precedence over all flags

when flown in Australia or an Australian territory. It should not be flown in an inferior position to any other flag with the exception of the United Nations Flag on United Nations Day.

Can the Australian flag touch the ground?

The Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last, unless all other flags at the ceremony are raised and lowered simultaneously; …

Do not allow the flag to fall or lie on the ground

or be used as a cover, although it can be used to cover a coffin at a funeral.

Why are government flags at half mast?


The president can issue an executive order for the flag

to be flown at half-staff, often upon the death of a notable figure or because of a tragic event. When such an order is issued, all government buildings, military bases, schools and offices are to lower their flags half-staff.

What does the NT flag look like?

It includes the three official NT colours – black, white and red ochre (PMS 159) – and a stylised version of the Territory’s floral emblem, the

Sturt’s Desert Rose

. The Desert Rose on the red ochre panel has seven petals with a seven-pointed star in the centre, symbolising the six Australian states and the NT.

Is it legal to fly the Eureka flag?

Conversation. In Morrison’s Australia,

it is unlawful to fly a Eureka flag

which is part of our history, but legal to fly Nazi flags.

Do you have to fly flag at half mast?

The flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions

after the death of the president

or a former president.

What flags should be flown at half mast?

  • Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day)
  • Memorial Day (last Monday in May, from sunrise to noon)
  • Patriot Day (Sept. …
  • National Firefighters Memorial Day (typically a Sunday during Fire Prevention Week)

Why did Captain de Groot cut the ribbon?

De Groot is best remembered for charging up on horseback to cut the ribbon with

his sword at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

on 19 March 1932. He did this out of protest because Lang, not the Governor-General was performing the opening ceremony.

Is the Aboriginal flag on the Harbour bridge?

As Australians, we are proud of our Aboriginal heritage and we want to recognise and celebrate this heritage every day. The flags flying from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge are wonderful symbols of our heritage and identity. However,

the Aboriginal flag does not fly permanently atop of the Sydney Harbour bridge.

What happened to Captain de Groot?

After the court case he sued for wrongful arrest on the grounds that a police officer had no right to arrest an officer of the Hussars. An out-of-court settlement was reached, and De

Groot’s ceremonial sword was returned to him

. He later returned to Ireland, where he died in 1969.

Why is the Sydney Harbour bridge called the coat hanger?

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a heritage-listed steel through arch bridge in Sydney, spanning Sydney Harbour from the central business district (CBD) to the North Shore. … Nicknamed “The Coathanger”

because of its arch-based design

, the bridge carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

What does an upside down Australian flag mean?

Flying a flag upside down is widely considered

a signal of distress

, which seems appropriate. The Australian Government’s protocols insist the flag should never be flown upside down, even as a signal of distress.

What does a black Australian flag mean?

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.

Is wearing the Australian flag disrespectful?

“As a symbol of the nation it is able to be used by every Australian, but it just needs to be treated with respect,” he said. Images of the flag can be used on clothing,

as long as it’s not defaced or covered

, and the main symbolic elements are identifiable.

What does an upside down flag mean?

What does an upside down flag mean? Traditionally, the American flag

should never be hung upside down “except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property

” according to the U.S Flag Code.

Can you leave the Australian flag up at night?


The flag should never be flown at half-mast at night

even if it is illuminated.

Is burning the Australian flag illegal?


It is not an offence against the law at the present time to burn an Australian flag

. … In 1989, a private member s bill was introduced by Michael Cobb MP (Nat) to make it an offence to desecrate, dishonour, burn, mutilate or destroy the Australian National Flag or an Australian Ensign, without lawful authority.

What’s the difference between half-mast and half-staff?

The term “

half-

mast” is preferred by dictionaries and seems more appropriate at sea (as ships have masts). “Half-staff” seems more appropriate on land, and is the preferred term used in the Flag Code and in Presidential proclamations. We call it a draw. The two terms may be used interchangeably for general use.

What is the bird in the NT emblem?


The Wedge-tailed eagle

is Australia’s largest bird of prey with an average wingspan of 2.5m. It is dark brown with a chestnut neck. Their long, wedge-shaped tail and broad wings make it easy to recognise.

Why was the NSW flag chosen?

The flag was

a response to the passing of the British Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865

in which all colonial vessels should “wear the Blue/Red Ensign with the seal or badge of the colony in the fly thereof”.

What does the Sydney flag look like?

Sydney’s flag

The flag is a

horizontal triband of 3 colours – white, gold and blue

. The top third features 3 designs. In the top left the arms belong to Thomas Townshend, Viscount Sydney after whom the city was named.

What does a blue flag with a white cross mean?

The national flag of Scotland is also known as

Saint Andrew’s Cross

or the Saltier. The white X from corner to corner over a blue background rather than the royal standard of Scotland is correct for all individuals and corporate bodies to fly in order to demonstrate both their loyalty and Scottish nationality.

What days do you fly the flag in 2021?


Peace Officers Day


May 15, 2021

Sunrise to Sunset
Memorial Day May 31, 2021 Sunrise to Noon Patriot Day September 11, 2021 Sunrise to Sunset Fallen Firefighter Day October 3, 2021 Sunrise to Sunset Pearl Harbor Day December 7, 2021 Sunrise to Sunset

What is meant by half-staff?

noun. a position approximately halfway between the top of a mast, staff, etc., and its base. verb (used with object) to place (a flag) at half-mast, as a mark of respect for the dead or

as a signal of distress

.

What are 3 things you should never do to the flag?

  1. Don’t dip the U.S. Flag for any person, flag, or vessel.
  2. Don’t let the flag touch the ground.
  3. Don’t fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
  4. Don’t carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
  5. Don’t use the flag as clothing.
  6. Don’t store the flag where it can get dirty.

What is the Eureka flag used for today?

The Eureka Flag is commonly used as a

symbol of nationality, and radicalism

. It is used by political groups and radicals as all round symbol of protest. The flag has been used as a symbol of left and right groups ranging from trades unions, nationalists, anti taxation lobbies, communists and neo-Nazis.

What is a blue flag with a white cross?

flag of a constituent unit of the United Kingdom, flown subordinate to the Union Jack, that consists of a blue field (background) bearing a white saltire (diagonal cross) that extends to the flag corners; this type of emblem is known as the Cross of St. Andrew (after the patron saint of Scotland).

How big is the Australian flag on the Harbour bridge?

“As members of the Australian Defence Force, all personnel appreciate the significance of the Australian flag. The

nine metre x 4.5 metre

flag will be handed to the squadron today and will be on display in their F/A-18 maintenance hanger soon after.

What does the aboriginal flag look like?

The flag’s design consists of

a coloured rectangle divided in half horizontally

. The top half of the flag is black to symbolise Aboriginal people. The red in the lower half stands for the earth and the colour of ochre, which has ceremonial significance. The circle of yellow in the centre of the flag represents the sun.

What is the state flag of NSW?

Australian flag consisting of a dark blue

field (background) bearing the Union

Jack in the canton and, at the fly end, a white disk with a red cross, a yellow lion, and four yellow stars. The flag is sometimes described as a defaced Blue Ensign. A number of unofficial flags existed in the early days of New South Wales.

How long do you leave a flag at half-staff?

The flag should fly at half-staff for

30 days

at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president.

Why are the flags at half-mast december 12 2021?

Flags are being lowered to half-staff today

to honor Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the life of Senator Bob Dole

. On Dec. … Dole, who died Sunday, served in World War II as an Army platoon leader in Italy.

What happened to Lennie Gwyther?

Lennie Gwyther

died of cancer in 1992

, at the age of 70.

Who founded the New Guard?

The New Guard is known for its violent agitation against Premier of New South Wales Jack Lang. It was founded and led by Eric Campbell, a World War I veteran and former Old Guard member. At its peak, membership was estimated to be around 50,000.

What does De Groot mean?

De Groot Name Meaning

Dutch:

nickname for a big man

, from Middle Dutch grote ‘big’, ‘large’, preceded by the definite article de.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.