When the Commonwealth Government announced a competition to design a flag for Australia in 1901,
entrants were asked to send a design for two flags
– one for official and naval purposes and the other for merchant ships. This resulted in a Blue Ensign and a Red Ensign.
When did the Australian flag change from red to blue?
Official use of the Blue and Red Ensigns
On
the 3
rd
Sep 1901
, following Federation, the Australian National Flag (Blue Ensign) became the official national flag of Australia, and has remained so ever since. At the same time, the Red Ensign became the flag of Merchant Naval Shipping, and has remained so ever since.
What is the difference between the red and blue Australian flag?
The red stripe on the flag
represents the Australian Army
, the dark blue stripe represents the Royal Australian Navy and the light blue stripe represents the Royal Australian Air Force. The Commonwealth Star and the boomerang on the Australian Defence Force ensign represent Australia.
What does the blue mean on the Australian flag?
The flag of Australia features three colors: red, white and blue. The blue is
featured as the field
and is also a part of the Union Flag. The red is used as part of the Union Flag, and the white is the final color of the Union Flag, as well as the color of the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross.
Why the Australian flag should be changed?
The colours of our flag are out of line with our national colours
, therefore we should change our flag to bring it in line. For many years green and gold had been used as our “national sporting colours”.
What is the red version of the Australian flag?
Devices.
The Australian Red Ensign
is a predominantly red version of the Australian National Flag, using the same shade of red as the Cross of Saint George which is part of the Union Jack present in the canton.
What are the 3 official flags of Australia?
Australia has a national flag but also recognises other flags, including state and territory flags,
the Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag, Defence Force Ensigns and the Australian Red Ensign
(flown at sea by Australian registered merchant ships).
Does Australia have 2 flags?
Australia has three official flags: the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag. Each state of territory also
has its own flag
.
Do you have to pay to fly the Aboriginal flag?
Although
official permission is not required to fly either the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flag
, Reconciliation Australia always encourages consultation with the local community when doing so. 6. … The Australian flag should take a position of precedence over other flags.
Why does Australia have two flags?
However, people were confused about the use of two Australian flags. The blue ensign was meant to be
for official and naval purposes
and the red ensign was meant to be used by the merchant fleet, but the general public began using the red ensign on land.
Why does Australian flag have 6 stars?
The Stars. The Commonwealth Star is the emblem of Australian Federation. Six points
represent the states and the seventh all the federal territories which together constitute the nation, the Commonwealth of Australia
. The constellation of the Southern Cross indicates our geographical location in the southern hemisphere …
When did the current Australian flag became official?
| Adopted 11 February 1903 (In use from 3 September 1901) 8 December 1908 (current seven-pointed Commonwealth Star version) | Design A Blue Ensign defaced with the Commonwealth Star (also known as the Federation Star) in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half. |
What does it mean when the Australian flag is flown upside down?
To fly a flag upside down is
a signal of distress
. The Australian National Flag should not, therefore, be displayed with the Union Jack down on any occasion except as a signal of distress.
Why we shouldn’t change the Australian flag?
Opponents of changing the flag have made the following arguments: It is a popular symbol.
No alternative national flag has attained the same degree of acceptance accorded to the existing flag
. The flag is a unique combination of devices recognised by law, custom and tradition as Australia’s chief national symbol.
Is Australia going to change its flag?
A dark blue, forward moving, kangaroo silhouetted against a golden sky has
replaced the
Union Jack and Federation Star featured on the current Australian Flag. … The white stars of the Southern Cross are reversed out of a blue field, which is unchanged from the current flag.
Why are New Zealand and Australia flags British?
It
represents the link between Australia/New Zealand and UK
. Both Australia and New Zealand, like India, were a part of British colonies. They are now a part of British Commonwealth Nation, and presence of Union Jack symbolizes that connection. … So these countries display Union Jack in their flag.
