1934 Exact Specifications
In Mar 1934, Commonwealth Government Gazette featured a line drawing of the exact specifications of the
Australian flag and the Red Ensign.
Page 1 of 2
Page 2 of 2
1947 – 19 Jun: Sir Howard Beale MP’s letter
Letter from Sir Howard Beale MP to flag makers in Australia clarifying the role of the blue and red ensigns of the Australian National Flag.
1953 – 2 Dec: Flags Act 1953
The Australian Parliament unanimously passed the Australian Flags Act 1953 confirming the status of our flag as the chief national symbol and formally describing and naming the design as the AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG.
The Flags Bill was personally signed into law by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 14 Feb 1954 during our monarch’s first Royal Tour.
Please find the original Flags Act at link:
1967 – 1 Mar – Launch of Australian White Ensign for use by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Approval for RAN commissioned ships to wear the Australian White Ensign with the Australian National Flag and white Commissioning Pennant:
- constitutes the “Suit of Colours” for the RAN
- Royal Assent – formal approval had been granted by Queen Elizabeth II on 7 November 1966 under section five of the Australian Flags Act 1953*
- replaces the Imperial White Ensign as the flag of the RAN
Top: HMAS Canberra Memorial & National Carillon (background), Canberra – Australian White Ensign flying
Above: Australian White Ensign flying
Above: 1967 – HMAS Cerberus, Melbourne – raising the Australian White Ensign while lowering the Imperial White Ensign.
1996 – Australian National Flag Day Proclaimed
The Governor-General of Australia, Sir William Deane proclaimed Australian National Flag Day, 3 September annually, commemorating the day in 1901 when our flag of ‘Stars and Crosses’ was first flown:
“I, William Patrick Deane, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, declare that, to commemorate the day in 1901 on which the Australian National Flag was first flown, 3 September in each year shall be observed as “Australian National Flag Day” throughout Australia and the external Territories of Australia”.
Proclaimed by the Governor-General in 2008, 3 September annually is also Merchant Navy Day, commemorating those who served in war and peace in the Merchant Navy serving under the Australian Red Ensign. It is a remarkable co-incidence that the Australian Red Ensign was chosen with the Australian National Flag on 3 September 1901, 107 years earlier.
A private display of the Red Ensign and Australian National Flag flying on 3 September, Australian National Flag Day and Australian Merchant Navy Day.
The Australian National Flag and Australian Red Ensign flying on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 3 Sep acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our Merchant Navy mariners and the anniversary of the people’s choice in 1901 of Australia’s chief national symbol.
The Flag Day logo
1998 – 24 Mar: Flags Amendment Bill
By vote of the members of federal Parliament, the Flags Amendment Bill became law.
It amended the Flags Act 1953 to ensure that the Australian National Flag can only be changed with the agreement of the Australian People.
Our national flag was democratically chosen by the people for the people in 1901. The design belongs to all Australians equally and is shared with government.
Note:
* “The Governor-General may, by Proclamation, appoint such other flags and ensigns of Australia as he thinks fit.”
Also available on request:
1967 – White Ensign – raised on HMAS Melbourne – article from Sydney Morning Herald – Mar 2
1991 – Australian National Flag stamps – Blue, Red, White & RAAF Ensigns – Australia Day 1991 – photo
1996:
- Flying the Red Ensign on Australia Day – article
- Australian National Flag Day – another artwork image
- Australian National Flag & Merchant Navy Day – another artwork image
2003 – Iraq War – 16 Jun Daily Telegraph article including photo of soldier displaying the flag
2004 – articles:
- Jul 7 – North Shore Times: “Why schools need flag, motto”
- Sep 3 – Daily Telegraph: “Designs flagged the rise of a nation”
To request or query, please email:
info@flagdayaustralia.com.au