WOULD YOU MARCH UNDER THIS FLAG?
Is it only once every four years that we can have a discussion about the Australian flag?
And does the debate always have to descend into a bare-knuckled brawl? As it has this year, with the wearing of an Aboriginal flag t-shirt by Aussie Olympic boxer, Damien Hooper at the London Olympics.
Once more, so-called true patriots strut their stuff and try to shut down any dissent on the matter.
For a reminder of the Cathy Freeman (left) flag brouhaha at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, see below.*
It comes home to me when the kids watch the team parade at the opening ceremony and delight at the distinctive flags of Burundi, the Seychelles, Canada and Cambodia.
They ask: “Why does our flag have the English flag on it and why does the New Zealand flag have it too… and, hey, so does Tuvalu!”
Well spotted, kids.
These three are the only independent nations in the world to sport the Union Jack. In all other flags where it is carried, it is to signify a British colony or dependency.
You may well say: “oh no… here we go again”! Because it’s the same bloody argument we have over and over and don’t seem to have the collective will or ability to move any further along.
I call your attention to this poster produced for the Sydney 2000 games by AusFlag. Colony, state, nation, fire brigade or yacht club? Good question still being asked a decade later.
Ausflag says that a truly Australian flag must represent:
Our nation and its people.
Our past, present and future.
Our land.
Our equality and diversity.
Our achievements.
Our hopes and aspirations.
“We can do much better. Help us create a flag which tells ‘our story’, not someone else’s,” says Ausflag.
That’s a lot of responsibility for one small piece of cloth to carry.
But somehow the Canadians managed to change their flag in 1965 from the Canadian Red Ensign without becoming a republic. (Let’s not frighten the horses.)
The pride in the red and white Maple Leaf is always something to envy. ”The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion,” said the speaker of the Canadian parliament on the day the flag was raised.
Why, oh why, can’t we do the same?
The same tired old arguments come up:
Our soldiers fought and died under this flag. Does that mean Canada has no respect for its soldiers in World War I and II?
It means we are part of the Commonwealth. Not necessarily – see above.
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37 Responses to this article
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The Accidental Housewife August 1, 2012
I’ve fought under our current flag, and my mates have died under it, but I have no qualms about changing it.
Just make the new one something bold and recognisable, with only two or three colours, and something that can be drawn with a ruler. Those kangaroos (although lovely) would be butchered by primary kids… And soldiers try to paint them freehand on their vehicles
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Ruth August 1, 2012
The soldiers died in defence of our country not our flag, and they didn’t die so our country would stagnate and stay the same. Our flag should change with us. I don’t think the Union Jack belongs on the Australian flag anymore. I like the flags which have the red earth and the stars above particularly the second last one, but please no kangaroos.
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Tess August 1, 2012
Hear hear, Wendy. About time we showed that we are a strong, unique country and nation..( And about time we didn’t have to squint to see if that’s actually our flag or a different country’s flag being displayed on tv.)
And I agree with the above, too – please, no kangaroos.
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Matt August 1, 2012
I’m all for changing our flag but I need to correct you on one point. Whilst the Canadian Flag is much loved and easily recognisable it is not loved by all Canadians. Ask the people of Quebec and any French Canadians what they think. My point is, you can’t please everyone.
What I do love about the Canadian flag however is that it is instantly recognisable as Canadian. There is no confusion which is great. So with that in mind the flag from Ausflag that fits the bill for me is the one with the Kangaroo in front of the yellow sun and red background. That flag could only possibly represent Australia. Sure there are arguments about colour such as should it be green and gold etc, but that’s for another time. Give me a flag that anyone from anywhere in the world can look at and instantly say ‘Australia’. -
Glen August 1, 2012
Two points. I think there should be a new flag without the Union Jack. But it has to coincide with a significant event. We can’t just get some designer to say hey presto here’s a new flag for you to love. It must mean something.
Second point – I don’t agree that the aboriginal flag should be tolerated at an Olympic event. Every athlete is part of a team and our team participate under the country of Australia. Australia’s flag is what it is. It is disrespectful to use any other in my opinion.
But yes, it needs to be changed eventually.
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Stehen Wilson August 1, 2012
The reason why so many flags around the former British Empire look the same is that they really are the same. Technically, these flags are called “Defaced Blue Ensigns”. They are British Naval flags, each with a minor local embellishment. It’s tragic really. Most people who defend the current Australian flag think the Union Jack is a nod to history. But it’s not; the Union Jack is really the central emblem, and the Southern Cross is a patronising token. If we want to acknowledge history, then a cunning plan would be to keep the stars as they are, and simply drop the Jack.
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Markje4 August 1, 2012
Just leave it alone. How many of those who want an ‘instantly recognizable’ flag can recognize more than a handful of other countries flags?
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Stehen Wilson August 1, 2012
The nice thing about flag recognition contests is with Australia and New Zealand being indistinguishable, you get two for the price of one.
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Matt August 1, 2012
I don’t think that’s a problem for many people.
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liza August 1, 2012
Now that we are so proud of being MULTICULTURAL it is time to view our flag in the same context.
I love the Aboriginal flag because it represents the Australia that dinosaurs lived on thousands of years ago. The land that is currently being destroyed by intensive mining . maybe that is why we can’t accept it. Means admitting that we are a greedy and rapacious bunch in a way.-
Matt August 1, 2012
OMG what a load of crap!!!
The aboriginal flag represents aboriginal people and that’s great. But if you aren’t an Aborigine it doesn’t represent you hence why it is not embraced by everyone.
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Ro. Watson August 1, 2012
I like vertical version of aboriginal flag with southern cross~does my opinion count~ hardly…
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Vinny in Synny August 1, 2012
Much as I like the strength and identity of the southern cross(although it does appears on a few other flags) it seems now to be a symbol of the xenophobic “hateriots” on their utes and tattoos.
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Megan August 1, 2012
I’d love a new flag. Drop the Union Jack, keep the southern cross, and there should be some other way of representing the states/territories apart from a 7-pointed star.
Wonder why NZ hasn’t changed theirs? They’re more progressive than us in a lot of ways, but they’ve kept theirs too. Is there a debate about it over there?
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Megan August 1, 2012
Should have done my homework first – yep, there’s a long-running ‘flag debate’ in NZ too, with the silver fern on a black background the most commonly mentioned alternative. Good option I would have thought – it would establish very high recognition pretty quickly, right up there with the Canadian maple leaf.
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Bern August 1, 2012
As much as I can see the reasons for changing the flag, my husband fought under this flag and the majority of ex-servicepeople and currently serving military, would choose to keep the flag as it is. Not too many people in this country are called upon to be prepared to die for their country and the flag and those who served and are serving now, are. Let’s keep the flag as it is.
Having said that, although I undestand the Olympic Game rules re a country’s flag being carried/worn on apparel, I feel like the indigenous boxer who wore a shirt with the Aboriginal flag/colours on it, should not have to apologise. He was showing pride in his culture by wearing that shirt, but also showing pride in his country by reperesenitng Australia in his chosen sport. No way do I see him as being anti-Australian.
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Kris August 1, 2012
I’ve always thought the easiest way would just be to replace the union jack with the aboriginal flag/colours & otherwise leave it as it is.
From the ones above I quite like the one on the third row, second from the end.
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Janet August 1, 2012
Agreed Kris. The only other thing that I would change is the colours of the stars to the same gold as the Aboriginal flag and their background as the green of the green and gold that we wear for sport of in the army. The replacement of the Union Jack with the Aboriginal flag is true recognition of origin of country and that is the most important part of reconciliation.
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Maddy August 1, 2012
I like the idea of a flag that truly represents all Australians. Most people live in big cities and many have never visited the Red Centre. So I feel we need a flag that represents the original people and post 1778 Maybe use the concept of the Thomaa flag, but have green where the red is ( as most of us live on the green bits) sky blue where the black is (because most of the time we have cloudless skies) and the circle dot painting as shown in the John Joseph design to honour the original people – smack in the centre.
There we go …. All done and dusted.
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Penny August 1, 2012
I’m so keen to see a change, I’d embrace any of the suggested designs, but I’d like to see the Aboriginal colours represented and nothing too QANTASy.
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Lejon August 1, 2012
For those interested check – ‘ Change the Aussie flag ‘ Facebook site . Group working to find a new design – not debating practical designing .
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Stehen Wilson August 1, 2012
Crikey! Did anyone see the rowing medal ceremony on TV just now? Women’s Pair: Britain Gold, Australia Silver and New Zealand Bronze. The flag raising was a compelling image: Three Union Jacks!!! Very weird.
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Pamela August 2, 2012
“They ask: “Why does our flag have the English flag on it and why does the New Zealand flag have it too… and, hey, so does Tuvalu!”
Well spotted, kids.”
Err no…not well spotted because the union flag is not in fact the “English” flag, your kids need better schooling. There should most definitely be an Australian flag without the union flag incorporated into it. I nominate a crocodile or some other generic thing that the Australian population can take absolutely no credit for. Actually I like the idea of that other uniquely Australian symbol – the sun.
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Lejon August 2, 2012
Not just the kids are confused virtualy the entire Nation is . The current flag now implies a false allegiance . Since 1986 Australia has been a Sovereign Independant Nation in its own right but is still flying a flag designed in 1900 for a British Overseas Possession . There is no British Empire or British Commonwealth and Australians are not British subjects and have’nt been for 26 years . Australians are classed as aliens in Britain . And British citizens are classed as aliens in Australia .
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Pamela August 2, 2012
Wendy:
Either that or just explain correctly in detail what the current flag means in order to remedy said confusion. “Well spotted kids” wouldn’t have been my response to the union flag being described as exclusively “English” when it isn’t. The English flag is a different flag entirely. You missed an opportunity to educate.
While you’re here can I just say you missed the point on the Olympics opening ceremony too. For once we had the chance to celebrate popular working class culture, the culture that fed the world, in the most official ‘big bastard’ of settings. Instead of the usual suspects and their various hats, speeches and modes of transport. When the two-bed brick house descended into the stadium it was a moment of unparalleled joy. Who cares if America or anywhere doesn’t understand the meaning, the point is it had meaning. A different person ordered from the menu and you were made to try something new. British culture is so huge and diverse he could’ve based the whole thing on anything from Alice In Wonderland to bloody Concorde and everyone would’ve got it, but he didn’t. And there WERE Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish singers did you oversleep and miss the beginning? Danny Boyle deserves a knighthood and I hope he’s offered it – then promptly turns it down.
Bloody morris dancers?, our ability to laugh at ourselves was evident throughout but he’d be in hiding now..
Back to the flag, it’s too similar to NZ anyway, just scrap it and replace with a plain brown rectangle. Represents the majority of the land, easy to draw and makes for handy souvenir chocolates. -
fred rieben August 2, 2012
wendy, sadly you’ve only shown the ausflag designs amazingly few of which have green and gold perhaps the reason for their failure. google ‘flagoz’ for the “southern cross and boomerang” design’s web and facebook postings. we would like to add you to our legion of suporters.
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Dirty Pierre August 2, 2012
Hahahahahahaha… you silly little colonials …
You know what I think??? I think you LIKE being Great Britain’s cheeky little brother … You LIKE it because you don’t want to face adulthood and responsibility.
Have a revolution or else just go the pub.
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Lejon August 2, 2012
@Dirty Pierre , did you miss the revolution ? Australia separated from Britain 26 years ago .
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Dennis August 7, 2012
I’d love to design one. It would be up my alley. I think simplicity. And maybe something completely fresh. That all people can enjoy going forward. Unity, loyalty and passion.
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Lejon August 8, 2012
Well follow this link Dennis to a facebook group designing a new flag – https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_2367663401
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New Aus Flag January 26, 2013
Changing the flag is good, these designs are dreadful. Mind you, they are from a competition 15 years ago and at a time that Ausflag believe Green and Gold should not be on the flag. Their latest effort at least fixes that.
For more designs, especially one that borrows from Canada, check newausflag.com or facebook.com/newausflag
Also the facebook group that focuses on flag designs (not debate!):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChangeTheAussieFlag -
Rhoda January 26, 2013
Wondering if one of our wonderful Aboriginal artists would paint one that had meaning for all of us. Their art is acclaimed world wide. It’s very expressive. I’ve been awestruck at the beauty of some of it. Would be a wonderful gesture to ask them.
I bet they could come up with a beauty.
