The Torres Strait Islander Flag

The Aboriginal Flag

The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas, an Aboriginal artist, in 1971. Mr Thomas, a Luritja man orginally from Central Australia says the design of the flag "sprung from passionate times". It was flown during the 1970's - a period when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people began to mobilise politically to fight for proper education, housing, health care and emloyment, and for the land they had cared for over countless centuries.

The flag was designed to be an eye catching rallying symbol for Aboriginal people and for the Aboriginal people as a symbol of their race and identity. The black represents the Aboriginal people. The red the earth and their spiritual relationship to the land, and the yellow the sun, the giver of life.

The Aboriginal flag was first raised in Victoria Square in Adelaide in 1971, but was adopted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 1972 after it was flown above the Aboriginal "Tent Embassy" outside of old parliament house in Canberra.

In 1994 the Government initiated steps to give the flag legal recognition. On 14th July 1995 the flag was proclaimed a "Flag of Australia", by Governor General William Hayden under Section 5 of theFlags Act 1953.

Source

Ausflag Ltd, www.ausflag.com.au/flags/ab.html (viewed 2005)