All Australians Holding our Flag
Celebrating the Southern Cross: A Look at Australian National Flag Day
Today, the 3rd of September, is a date of special significance for Australians. It’s Australian National Flag Day, a day to commemorate the inaugural flying of our national flag in 1901. But why this specific date? The answer takes us back to a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, a few months after Federation.
In 1901, a competition was held to design a flag for the new Commonwealth of Australia. A staggering 32,823 entries were submitted, and the winning design was a collaborative effort of five individuals. Their design, which we now know so well, was officially unveiled on this very day, September 3, 1901.
The grand occasion took place at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. The building, a symbol of progress and a testament to the nation’s burgeoning identity, was the perfect backdrop for this historic event. The flag was hoisted for the first time by the then-Prime Minister, Edmund Barton, in a ceremony attended by a crowd of thousands.
The flag itself is rich with symbolism. The Union Jack in the top-left corner signifies our historical links to the United Kingdom. Below it, the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star represents the six original states and the territories of the Commonwealth. The star’s seven points symbolize the unity of the nation. On the right, the Southern Cross, a constellation visible in the southern hemisphere, speaks to our geographical location and our identity as a nation of the southern land.
The day the flag was first flown marked a new chapter for Australia. It was no longer just a collection of colonies; it was a united nation, with a symbol to represent its aspirations, its history, and its future.
So, on this Australian National Flag Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the meaning of our flag. It’s more than just a piece of cloth; it’s a representation of our shared heritage and the values that bind us together as a nation. It’s a symbol of unity, and a testament to the vision of those who came before us.
Happy Australian National Flag Day!