The flag of the Governor-General of Australia is an official flag of
Australia and is flown continuously on buildings and other locations when the
Governor-General of Australia is present.
History
The flag has existed as three versions, the original flag used between 1902 and 1909 being a
Union Flag
The Union Jack, or Union Flag, is the ''de facto'' national flag of the United Kingdom. Although no law has been passed making the Union Flag the official national flag of the United Kingdom, it has effectively become such through precedent. ...
defaced with a six pointed star, crowned, surrounded by ears of corn and a gold circlet. In 1909, following the addition of a seventh point to the
Commonwealth Star on the
Australian Blue and Red Ensigns, the star was changed to a seven-pointed star.
On 16 July 1936 the Governor-General adopted a new flag for official use in Australia. The flag has a 1:2 ratio, it has a
royal blue
Royal blue is a deep and vivid shade of blue. It is said to have been created by clothiers in Rode, Somerset, a consortium of whom won a competition to make a dress for Queen Charlotte, consort of King George III.
Brightness
The ''Oxford E ...
background and in the centre of the flag there is a Royal Crest (a crowned lion standing on a
Tudor Crown
The Tudor Crown, also known as Henry VIII's Crown, was the imperial crown, imperial and state crown of Kingdom of England, English monarchs from around the time of Henry VIII until it was destroyed during the English Civil War, Civil War in 16 ...
) and the words "COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA" in dark blue letters on a gold scroll below the Crest. A similar design is used in most other
Commonwealth realms.
In 1953 the flag was modified again, replacing the
Tudor Crown
The Tudor Crown, also known as Henry VIII's Crown, was the imperial crown, imperial and state crown of Kingdom of England, English monarchs from around the time of Henry VIII until it was destroyed during the English Civil War, Civil War in 16 ...
with
St Edward's Crown
St Edward's Crown is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, versions of it have traditionally been used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronations since the 13th cen ...
. The flag is otherwise identical to that introduced in 1936.
Usage
The flag is flown continuously wherever the Governor-General is in residence and is also used as a
car flag
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design emplo ...
.
Historical versions
See also
*
List of Australian flags
This is a list of flags of different designs that have been used in Australia.
National flags
Other flags recognised under the Flags Act 1953
Sources:
Personal flags
Sovereign
Governor-General
State Governors
Prime Mi ...
*
Flags of the governors of the Australian states
*
Queen's Personal Australian Flag
The Queen's Personal Australian Flag was the personal flag of Queen Elizabeth II in her role as Queen of Australia. It was used in a similar way as the Royal Standard in the UK, signalling the Queen's presence in Australia, in this case.
Histo ...
References
;Bibliography
*
External links
*
{{Flags, Banners and Standards of Heads of State and Government
Governor-General
Governors-General of Australia
1902 establishments in Australia
Flags displaying animals