The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) is gearing up for National Flag Day on 3 September, creating a Flag Kit for Flag Day to equip flag-lovers planning to celebrate.
PM&C said activities in the Flag Kit included a quiz; fact sheets; and a printable colouring-in page to celebrate the Australian National Flag.
“The kit also includes information on the history of the Australian Red Ensign Flag, the official flag flown at sea by Australian-registered merchant ships,” PM&C said.
It said the Australian National Flag was first flown in 1901, was Australia’s foremost national symbol and had become an expression of Australian identity and pride.
“The Flag has three elements on a blue background: The Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross,” PM&C said.
“The Union Jack in the upper left corner represents the history of British settlement,” it said.
“Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth, or Federation, star.”
PM&C said the Commonwealth star’s seven points represented the unity of the six States and the Territories of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The Department said the Southern Cross, which can only be seen from the southern hemisphere, was shown on the flag in white as a reminder of Australia’s geography.
Further information on PM&C’s Flag Day Kit can be accessed at this PS News link.