Lexi Webster
Before the federation of the Australian states in 1901, the official flag used in Australia was the British flag, the Union Jack. The Union Jack has been incorporated into the canton (the upper hoist quadrant) of the Australian flag since its inception, acknowledging the history of British settlement in Australia. The Australian flag was designed in a competition held in 1901, with the winning design announced on 3 September 1901. The competition received over 30,000 submissions, with the final design featuring a dark blue field, the Union Jack in the canton, the Southern Cross, and the Commonwealth Star.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Federation | 1 January 1901 |
| Date of flag competition | 3 September 1901 |
| Number of submissions | Over 30,000 |
| Number of winners | 5 |
| Flag name | Blue Ensign |
| Flag colour | Dark blue |
| Elements | Union Jack, Federation Star, Southern Cross |
| Number of Federation Star points | 6 |
| Number of Southern Cross stars | 5 |
| Date of Federation Star change | 1908 |
| Reason for change | Acquisition of Papua as an external territory |
| New number of Federation Star points | 7 |
| Merchant ship flag name | Red Ensign |
| Merchant ship flag colour | Red |
| Date of official flag adoption | 1954 |
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What You'll Learn
The National Colonial Flag
The design of the National Colonial Flag influenced later Australian flag designs, including the Eureka Stockade Flag, which gained popularity in 1854. The Eureka Stockade Flag featured a similar combination of the Southern Cross and a white cross on a blue field. After the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia, thousands of proposals were submitted by the public in flag design competitions, leading to the adoption of the current Australian flag in 1901.
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The Australian Federation Flag
The Blue Ensign is based on the British Blue Ensign, with a dark blue field that can be divided into four quadrants. The Union Jack, acknowledging the history of British settlement in Australia, is located in the canton or first quarter, the position of honour in the flag. The Commonwealth Star, also known as the Federation Star, is located in the lower hoist quarter. It originally had six points, representing the six federating colonies or states. In 1908, a seventh point was added to symbolise the Territory of Papua and any future territories. On the right side, known as the fly, are the five stars of the Southern Cross constellation.
The Blue Ensign was selected alongside a merchant naval red ensign, which had a red background instead of a blue one and was known as the Red Ensign. The Red Ensign was used on merchant ships and privately owned vessels. The Blue Ensign was initially restricted to government use and was rarely used, as the federal government did not advocate its use by the public. The Union Jack was still often flown by the Australian government, and it was not until 1954, with the passage of the Flags Act 1953, that the Blue Ensign was designated as the Australian National Flag.
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The Eureka Stockade Flag
The flag was first hoisted on November 29, 1854, at Bakery Hill in Ballarat. It featured a white symmetric cross with five eight-pointed stars on a dark blue field, representing the Crux constellation (also known as the Southern Cross). The design was inspired by the Australian Federation Flag, with the eight-star cross symbolizing the Reform League. The flag was made from wool and cotton and sewn in silk by three women: Anastasia Withers, Anne Duke, and Anastasia Hayes.
The Eureka Flag became a symbol of defiance and unity for the miners. On November 30, the miners gathered again at Bakery Hill, where they swore an oath of allegiance to the flag, known as the Eureka Oath or the Eureka Oath of Allegiance: "We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties." The flag was then flown during the Battle of the Eureka Stockade on December 3, 1854, which resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people, including miners and soldiers.
The Eureka Flag has since become a potent symbol of Australian democracy, protest, and nationalism. It is listed as an object of significance on the Victorian Heritage Register and was designated a Victorian icon by the National Trust of Australia in 2006. The original flag is now on public view and held at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, with fragments also exhibited and auctioned. The flag's design has been adopted by various political groups and continues to be a symbol of protest and radicalism in Australia.
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The Blue Ensign
The design that won the competition was announced on 3 September 1901. It featured the Union Jack in the canton, a dark blue field, and a Federation Star with six points, representing each of the six Australian states. On the right side, or fly, were five stars of the Southern Cross. The Blue Ensign was selected alongside a merchant naval red ensign.
In 1953, the Menzies government introduced the Flags Act to encourage the use of the Blue Ensign as Australia's national flag. The Act defined the dimensions and protocols for the use of the flag. The Flags Act Bill was passed in December 1953 and received Royal Assent on 14 February 1954, officially designating the Blue Ensign as the Australian National Flag.
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The Union Jack
The Australian flag was created after the federation of Australian states into the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. A public competition was held, with over 30,000 designs submitted. The winning design, now known as the Blue Ensign, featured the Union Jack in the canton, with five white multipointed stars in the form of the Southern Cross constellation, and a six-pointed Commonwealth Star.
The Blue Ensign was selected as the winning design, but for the next 50 years, the official flag of Australia was the British flag, the Union Jack. It was only in 1954, with the passage of the Flags Act, that the Blue Ensign was designated as the Australian National Flag. The Blue Ensign had gained popularity during the First World War, appearing on pro-war posters and sometimes being taken into battle. However, the Union Jack and the Red Ensign were also used, depending on personal preference.
The Australian flag has undergone minor modifications since its creation, including the addition of a seventh point to the Commonwealth Star in 1908 to symbolise the Territory of Papua and any future territories. The Blue Ensign remains the national flag of Australia today, with the Union Jack continuing to play a prominent role in its design.
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Frequently asked questions
Before the federation, the official flag of Australia was the British flag, the Union Jack.
The Union Jack incorporates three heraldic crosses representing the nations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The second version of the Union Jack, post-1801, is depicted on the Australian flag.
Throughout the 1800s, various flags emerged in Australia, including the Eureka Flag, the National Colonial Flag, and the Federation Flag.
