The New Australian Flag
The 21st Century has arrived. We have said ‘sorry’ to our indigenous population. There’s talk of a republic.
So here’s my suggestion for a new flag. An INTERIM flag for using on the way to the great republic that shall unite all brothers – regardless of colour, origins or sexual preferences.
It’s not the ultimate australian flag. It’s an interim one. Which means we could have it for the next 100 years. Assuming anyone anywhere liked it enough to even think of using it.
I just thought it time to throw something in the mix….
Do not be shy. Break the rules and comment your opinions – good or bad. I invite honest comment and debate.
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BlueKnot
Well, generally flag designs have meaning (even if obscure)... maybe because I’m not an Australian I don’t see it, but… what do your changes reflect?
lightsmith replied
it’s actually a sort of composite of the Australian flag and our Indigeous People’s flag.
BlueKnot
Aha! Thanks, I had not seen that other before. Nice work!
ojoe
Very well done. I think this a very good but does it need the Union Jack?
lightsmith replied
Thanks ojoe. I only included the union jack because it was transitional. A sort of mix of flags. My ideal flag would definately not include it though. It is part of our past but NOT part of our future. I thought of fading it out but wondered how viable that would be for a flag maker LOL
Lance Leopold
The only reason every citizen in Australia exists,is because their parents met and married, in this country,and that is only because the British chose it for a colony,so i don’t understand the logic behind Brit bashing,unless of course you all wish you were never born.
lightsmith replied
given the way my life is going at the moment ….. I am tempted to say I do wish that LOL.
But of course, it’s more complex than that. I dont think, for example, that our indigenous population feel that they owe much to the british for their colonization. Also, had the british not claimed it, the Dutch probably would, or failing that a host of other countries, albeit after a few more years. I guarentee the U.S. would have if no-one else did. Which in someways they have – judging by our TV. Then, of course, there’s the chinese (who own us anyway in terms of most retail products).
Having grown up with British Comedy, it is certainly one thing I definately think was a good contribution to Australia – even if there was nothing else.
Christopher Bi...
bravo!
lejon
Great idea lightsmith , but why duplicate the effort ?
There are more than 50,000 designs around – but most are going nowhere .
There are a few commercialy available but again few of these are realy suitable mainly because they do not display the National colors ? And most are just too expensive . There is one – Fred Reibens OZFLAG design – large flags small flags and stickers – all cheap . We have to get behind one flag NOW . And hold a competition on achieving a Republic .
Just a note for Lance ( above ) we have progressed past the colonial stage !
lightsmith replied
I guess the more we can stimulate interest, the more likely we can encourage a change. Are there 50,000 designs around? Haven’t seen many. I’m not quite so keen on a republic though. I don’t care anything for having or not having one because it seems to me that it doesn’t really matter and will cost a fortune in changes (all the way down to RSPCA letter head LOL). But the flag would not be so expensive and would certainly be a good step in the right direction…..
lejon
Lightsmith , Ausflag holds at least 50,000 designs itself .
You don’t think calling ourselves a Republic realy matters er so why change the flag ?
Changing to a Repulic will virtualy cost nothing in relative terms . Remember change happens all the time – it cost a lot to introduce responsible government back in the 1850s . It cost a lot to Federate in 1900 . It cost a lot to change ALL the currency from the British Pound to the Australian Dollar in 1966 .Plus measurement from Imperial to Metric . Note to change the coinage is standard practice at the Mint – the design on the stamps are constanyly changed ( the 50c coin has been changed many times since 1966 ) And even the Queens image will have to be changed on the demise of the present Monarch . The headstamps are replaced after every 250,000 coins – now .
As for letterheads – I worked for a Commonwealth Dept. and during my time the letterheads were changed completely five times on the whim of the Minister .
A change to a Republic is not about tearing down everything and rebuilding from scratch – it’s about recognising what we are already in effect a Republic ( sometimes referred to as a “concealed Republic ” !
The Republic of Australia ? – your standing in it !
lightsmith replied
I’m not yet convinced – but I think you have raised a number of good points requiring my further thought. On the basis of what you’ve said, a change to a republic might not be such a cost after all. Unlike many, I welcome challenging thoughts because they always help the gaining of a greater understanding (when we do AND when we dont agree). A migration to a republic – from the perspective of administration only – then seems to be quite innocuous and not quite the waste of money I was thinking of …
I didn’t know Ausflag were sitting on 50k designs! I didn’t think there WERE that many variations LOL. Still, it’s a good sign in one respect – it shows plenty of people are giving it thought. I’d like to see the flag changed primarily because it implies things that really are not true – such as ownership by the British and a complete disregard for our indigenous population. As we fly it so much, I think from a marketing point of view it has to change.
lightsmith replied
Oh, by the way, I’d very much welcome your comments on The Aussie Spirit – good or bad :-)
lejon
OK lightsmith . I think we need a new flag because as you said the current one implies things that are NO LONGER true . In 1986 the final step was taken with the passing of the Australia Acts – which terminated all residual British jurisdiction over Australia and thus declared Australia to be a Sovereign Independant Nation . ( ending Dominion status ) . The current blue ensign was a perfectly suitable flag for a British Dominion . But just as the Union flag has changed over time with political change . We should have made a change when our Nationality changed from British to Australian in 1986 .
However I personaly believe the current ensign should be retained as an ” official flag of Australia ” similar to the Aboriginal flag , Norfolk Isl. flag and the Tiwi Isl. flag .
We should also declare ourselves to be a Republic – not to change everything but simply to complete the task . And to remove the concept of inherited privelidge from egalitarian Australia .
Lightsmith have you seen Fred Riebens flag at – OZFLAG
lejon
OOPS sorry that should read Flagoz . I just discovered another flag at OZFlag !