Australian National Flag Association
Encyclopedia
The Australian National Flag Association (ANFA) was launched at a public meeting in Sydney on 5 October 1983 to oppose suggestions that the existing Australian National Flag
is not appropriately representative of the nation, and should be changed, with the late Sir Colin Hines elected as founding President. The controlling Council of Management is elected at each Annual General Meeting, operating under a government approved constitution.
The aims and objectives of the association are:
Prominent Australians who are members of the association include John Howard
and Malcolm Turnbull
.
In 2003 the Australian Capital Territory
branch of the ANFA was renamed as the Australian Flag Society
.
.
On 28 August 1996, the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir William Deane, issued a proclamation from Government House, Canberra which officially proclaimed 3 September as Australian National Flag Day to "commemorate the day in 1901 on which the Australian national flag was first flown".
Each year the Association arranges 3 September celebrations in capital cities and provincial centres.
A warrant authorising the use of the Centenary Flag under section 6 of the Flags Act was issued by the Governor-General and the flag is now used as the official flag of state on important occasions. These included the opening of new parliamentary terms and when visiting heads of state arrive. The flag has been transported across the country for flying in every state and territory. It was later used on Remembrance Day
in 2003 for the opening of the Australian War Memorial in Hyde Park
in London
.
Signed and sealed with the Great Seal of Australia on 13 September 2001
PETER HOLLINGWORTH, Governor-General
The Centenary Flag is the flag presented on 3 September to the Prime Minister by the Australian National Flag Association, being an Australian National Flag with a white headband incorporating:
a cardinal red stripe; and
the following inscription:
"The Centenary Flag. Presented to the Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister of Australia on behalf of the people of Australia by the Australian National Flag Association on 3 September 2001 at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne to commemorate the first flying of the Australian National Flag on 3 September 1901 attended by the Rt Hon Sir Edmund Barton MHR, Prime Minister of Australia.".
Flag of Australia
The flag of Australia is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the canton , and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter...
is not appropriately representative of the nation, and should be changed, with the late Sir Colin Hines elected as founding President. The controlling Council of Management is elected at each Annual General Meeting, operating under a government approved constitution.
The aims and objectives of the association are:
- To communicate positively to all Australians the importance and significance of our chief national symbol - the Australian National Flag.
- To provide promotional and educational material concerning the Australian National Flag.
- To promote the Australian identity overseas by the use of the Australian National Flag.
- To support existing "fly the flag" programmes and encourage support from recognised service organisations.
- To encourage personal identity with the Australian National Flag at all levels within the community.
Prominent Australians who are members of the association include John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
and Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Bligh Turnbull is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2004, and was Leader of the Opposition and parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party from 16 September 2008 to 1 December 2009.Turnbull has represented the Division...
.
In 2003 the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
branch of the ANFA was renamed as the Australian Flag Society
Australian Flag Society
The Australian Flag Society is an advocacy group that supports retaining the existing flag of Australia.-Structure:The AFS is currently unincorporated; it was originally constituted as the Australian Capital Territory branch of the Australian National Flag Association...
.
Australian National Flag Day
In 1984 the ANFA staged the first Australian National Flag Day ceremony at Hyde Park in Sydney. The proposal for a special anniversary for the Australian National Flag was originally made by vexillographer and historian John Christian VaughanJohn Christian Vaughan
John Christian Vaughan is a Sydney historian and vexillographer. He is the former CEO of the Royal Australian Historical Society. Among his other credits, he is the national spokesperson for the Australian National Flag Association and was employed as an expert commentator by Channel 7 for the...
.
On 28 August 1996, the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir William Deane, issued a proclamation from Government House, Canberra which officially proclaimed 3 September as Australian National Flag Day to "commemorate the day in 1901 on which the Australian national flag was first flown".
Each year the Association arranges 3 September celebrations in capital cities and provincial centres.
Centenary Flag
On the centenary of the first flying of the flag, 3 September 2001, the ANFA presented the Prime Minister with a flag intended to replace the missing original flag. This flag was not a replica of the original flag, on which the Commonwealth Star had only six points, but was a current Australian National Flag with a seven pointed Commonwealth Star. The flag has a special headband, including a cardinal red stripe and with an inscription.A warrant authorising the use of the Centenary Flag under section 6 of the Flags Act was issued by the Governor-General and the flag is now used as the official flag of state on important occasions. These included the opening of new parliamentary terms and when visiting heads of state arrive. The flag has been transported across the country for flying in every state and territory. It was later used on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
in 2003 for the opening of the Australian War Memorial in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Centenary Flag Warrant
I, PETER JOHN HOLLINGWORTH, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and under section 6 of the Flags Act 1953, authorise the Governments of the Commonwealth and of each of the States and Territories, to use, on ceremonial occasions, the Centenary Flag described in the Schedule.Signed and sealed with the Great Seal of Australia on 13 September 2001
PETER HOLLINGWORTH, Governor-General
- Schedule
The Centenary Flag is the flag presented on 3 September to the Prime Minister by the Australian National Flag Association, being an Australian National Flag with a white headband incorporating:
a cardinal red stripe; and
the following inscription:
"The Centenary Flag. Presented to the Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister of Australia on behalf of the people of Australia by the Australian National Flag Association on 3 September 2001 at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne to commemorate the first flying of the Australian National Flag on 3 September 1901 attended by the Rt Hon Sir Edmund Barton MHR, Prime Minister of Australia.".
External links
- Australian National Flag Association - official website.