Australian National Flag Day 3 September – History of Australian National Flag Day Australian National Flag Day celebrates the first time the flag was flown on 3 September 1901. On that day Prime Minister Edmund Barton announced the winners of a competition to find a flag for Australia. It was a large flag, 5.5 metres by 11 metres, and was flown over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. At that time the flag was known as the Commonwealth blue ensign; School children holding the Australian National Flag later, the flag became known as the Australian at a flagraising ceremony at Parliament House, National Flag. Canberra. Photo: Auspic. Australian National Flag Day was proclaimed by the Protocols for Raising the Flag Governor-General on 28 August 1996 and has been While there are no official guidelines in relation to celebrated since 3 September 1996. conducting flag raising ceremonies, basic flag Celebrating Australian National Flag Day protocol should be observed: All Australians are encouraged to fly or display the the flag should be treated with respect and Australian National Flag to celebrate Australian dignity; National Flag Day on 3 September each year. the flag should be raised no earlier than Australian National Flag Day is an opportunity for dawn and lowered no later than dusk, but individuals, community organisations, local may be flown at night when illuminated; authorities, businesses and schools to celebrate with the flag should be raised briskly and lowered pride the anniversary of the Australian National Flag. ceremoniously; Some ideas for Australian National Flag Day are: the Australian National Flag should be Conduct a flag-raising ceremony. raised first and lowered last; Business and organisations don’t have a two flags should not be flown from the same flagpole may wish to display the Australian flagpole; and National Flag in the public areas of their the flag should not be allowed to fall or lie on buildings, such as foyers. the ground. Read about the history of the Australian Commonwealth Flag Network National Flag and the protocols for flying the flag at Join the Commonwealth Flag Network to be notified of half-masting messages and nationally Request a copy of the Australian flags significant events for flying the Australian National booklet, available free of charge from your Flag. Senator or Federal Member of Parliament. Subscribe to the network by emailing . Join the Commonwealth Flag Network. More information Department WEBSITE: Australian Flags booklet.
Australian National Flag Day – 3 September History of Australian National Flag Day Australian National Flag Day celebrates the first time the flag was flown on 3 September 1901. On that day Prime Minister Edmund Barton announced the winners of a competition to find a flag for Australia. It was a large flag, 5.5 metres by 11 metres, and was flown over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. At that time the flag was known as the Commonwealth blue ensign; later, the flag became known as the Australian National Flag. Australian National Flag Day was proclaimed by the Governor-General on 28 August 1996 and has been celebrated since 3 September 1996. Celebrating Australian National Flag Day All Australians are encouraged to fly or display the Australian National Flag to celebrate Australian National Flag Day on 3 September each year. Australian National Flag Day is an opportunity for individuals, community organisations, local authorities, businesses and schools to celebrate with pride the anniversary of the Australian National Flag. Some ideas for Australian National Flag Day are: Conduct a flag-raising ceremony. Business and organisations don’t have a flagpole may wish to display the Australian National Flag in the public areas of their buildings, such as foyers. Read about the history of the Australian National Flag and the protocols for flying the flag at Request a copy of the Australian flags booklet, available free of charge from your Senator or Federal Member of Parliament. Join the Commonwealth Flag Network. Australian Flags booklet. School children holding the Australian National Flag at a flagraising ceremony at Parliament House, Canberra. Photo: Auspic. Protocols for Raising the Flag While there are no official guidelines in relation to conducting flag raising ceremonies, basic flag protocol should be observed: the flag should be treated with respect and dignity; the flag should be raised no earlier than dawn and lowered no later than dusk, but may be flown at night when illuminated; the flag should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously; the Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last; two flags should not be flown from the same flagpole; and the flag should not be allowed to fall or lie on the ground. Commonwealth Flag Network Join the Commonwealth Flag Network to be notified of half-masting messages and nationally significant events for flying the Australian National Flag. Subscribe to the network by emailing . More information Department WEBSITE:
Australian_National_Flag_day.docx