The state flag of

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

is a British

Blue Ensign The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated or formerly associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain or defaced with a badge or other emblem. The e ...

with the state badge on a white disc added in the

fly Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced ...

. The badge is a light blue

Maltese Cross The Maltese cross is a cross symbol, consisting of four " V" or arrowhead shaped concave quadrilaterals converging at a central vertex at right angles, two tips pointing outward symmetrically. It is a heraldic cross variant which develope ...

with a

Saint 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 ce ...

in the centre of the cross. The flag dates from 1876, with minor variations, and the badge was designed by

William Hemmant William Hemmant (24 November 1837 – 20 September 1916) was a British-Australian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1871 to 1876. Hemmant was born in Kirkgate, Yorkshire, England, to Thomas and Isabella (n� ...

, the Colonial Secretary and Treasurer of Queensland in 1876.

Separation flag, 1859

On 10 December 1859, "''a light blue flag with a red St George's Cross and union in the corner''" (now known as the Queensland Separation Flag) was flown in Brisbane at eight o'clock in the morning, to mark Queensland's separation from

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

1870 flag

The state flag was first created in 1870 with the

Union Jack 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. ...

upon the royal blue background; however, the badge was not the current one. In its place was a profile of Queen Victoria on a blue disc surrounded by a white annulus on which the name "QUEENSLAND." was inscribed in gold. File:Badge of Queensland (1870–1876).svg, Badge of Queensland (1870–1876)

1876 flag

The next alteration occurred in 1876 as there were many complaints that the reproduction of Victoria's head was too difficult and a replacement was called for. Many complaints by state officials were made, including the example below found in the Queensland State Archives.

The Treasury, Queensland
Brisbane, 15 March 1876, Referring to the Circular Despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 23 August last, upon the subject of distinctive badges proposed for the Flags of several Colonies, I have the honour to advise Your Excellency that the difficulty of producing upon bunting a fair representation of the head or bust of Her Majesty has proved so great, and the effect, when produced, so unsatisfactory, as to render it necessary to abandon the idea of using that device for the Queensland Ensign, and I beg therefore to recommend that the accompanying design, within a wreath of laurel, be adopted for the Flags of the Colony in lieu of that formerly advised. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant,
(signed) N Hemmant His Excellency
WW Cairns, Esq, CMG
Brisbane

The Maltese Cross impaled with the Crown was chosen out of four proposed designs to replace Victoria's head. File:Badge of Queensland (1876–1901).svg, Badge of Queensland (1876–1901) File:Queensland 1875 badge proposal 1.svg, First example of a proposed badge for the flag of Queensland File:Queensland 1875 badge proposal 2.svg, Second example of a proposed badge for the flag of Queensland File:Queensland 1875 badge proposal 3.svg, Third example of a proposed badge for the flag of Queensland

1901–1952 flag

The final official alteration occurred in 1901 with the death of Queen Victoria. The change was in relation to the crown impaled upon the Maltese Cross; as Victoria and Edward VII had chosen different coronation crowns, the crowns upon the badge also had to change. However over the years the monarchs of Australia have chosen differing coronation crowns and therefore, the crowns have unofficially kept up with each

change Change or Changing may refer to: Alteration * Impermanence, a difference in a state of affairs at different points in time * Menopause, also referred to as "the change", the permanent cessation of the menstrual period * Metamorphosis, or change, ...

. File:Badge of Queensland (1901–1952).svg, Badge of Queensland (1901–1952)

Government distribution

The Queensland Government offers free state flags to eligible organisations including: * Schools * Recognised youth organisations * Community service groups * Charities * Sporting clubs * Local government authorities.

References

External links

* {{Union Flag Society in Queensland

1876 establishments in Australia