Australian National Flag Day

 Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke, encourages residents of Mitchell to celebrate the 111^th anniversary of the Australian National Flag on September 3, by displaying our flag or holding a flag raising ceremony.

“The National Flag is our chief national symbol, that we should be proud of, as it represents who we are as a nation and defines us on the world stage, said Alex Hawke.

Australian National Flag Day offers the opportunity for Australians to learn more about the history of our flag.

Some facts about our chief national symbol; it is the only flag to fly over an entire continent and the first to be chosen in an open public competition. Also the Australian National Flag is raised every morning at the school in Villiers-Bretonneux in France, in memory of the thousands of Australian casualties incurred in liberating their village in 1917 (during the First World War).

As our Governor-General, Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC) has remarked:

“Since it was first unfurled from the Royal Exhibition Building in 1901, our Australian flag has been an icon of our shared identity, of what it means to belong to our country. It is much loved, worn and flown by Australians her and across the world…Wherever it is raised, it stirs in us a sense of unity…”.

“Australian National Flags are available from my electorate office to all community groups, schools, and organisations within the electorate of Mitchell. 

“Flags are also available for students participating in overseas exchange programs, visiting Australian war memorials overseas and for those who are representing Australia overseas”, concluded Alex Hawke.

To obtain a flag please contact my office on 9899 7211. For further information on the Australian National Flag visit www.flagaustnat.asn.au.