NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Flags

The Australian national flag symbolises Australia’s historical links with Britain (represented on the flag by the British flag, known most commonly by the nickname Union Jack) and Australia’s location in the southern hemisphere (represented on the flag by stars of the Southern Cross). The larger seven-pointed star represents the six original states and the territories of the Commonwealth.

National colours

Green and gold were proclaimed Australia’s national colours by the Governor-General on 19 April 1984.

The colours red, white and blue were featured in the first coat of arms of the Commonwealth in 1908 and are the colours of the Australian national flag.

The colours blue and gold have heraldic significance as they are the colours of the crest of the present Commonwealth coat of arms.

The colours green and gold were popularly used as the national colours even before the official proclamation. They have been used in Australian and international sporting events since the nineteenth century and have been associated with many great sporting achievements since.

Floral emblem

The golden wattle was proclaimed the official national floral emblem in August 1988. It is a spreading shrub or small tree, which grows in the understorey of open forest, woodland and open scrub in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Since 1912, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher, wattle has been included as the decoration surrounding the Commonwealth coat of arms and it has also been used in the design of Australian stamps and many awards in the Australian honours system.

Coat of arms

The present Australian coat of arms was granted by King George V in 1912. It consists of a shield containing the badges of the six Australian states, enclosed by an ermine border. The shield is a symbol for the federation of the states, which took place in 1901.

For many years, the motto ‘Advance Australia’ appeared on unofficial coats of arms, even before the federation of the states in 1901. It was included in the 1908 arms, and was popularly accepted in association with the 19th century song ‘Advance Australia Fair’. A revised version of this song became Australia’s official national anthem in 1984.