"One day we will have a new flag. And I hope that day is sooner
rather than later. A flag that symbolises what Australia has become
since the beginning of time and a flag that can represent all people
who were born in this wonderful country, or have chosen to make
Australia their home.
A flag that shows we are confident enough as a nation to have a unique symbol
to represent us. A flag that pays respect to the great sacrifices of the past
yet can represent the golden optimism of our future.
A flag is not a ‘picture’ of a country. A flag is a symbol of national
pride.
Our flag should favour no particular group or race.
Our flag should proudly stand for the maturity we have achieved. Every piece
of research I’ve read suggests that if we are to have a new flag the
majority of people would favour the Southern Cross. After all, the Southern
Cross has
been part our history, our folklore and our heritage. Therefore the design
of a new flag should be concerned with only two things:
- What is the most powerful and confident way to arrange the stars
of the Southern Cross within the rectangle of the flag?
- What colours
should represent Australia?
The answer to question one is that you should position the stars in
the most dynamic arrangement within the rectangle - north, south,
east and west, and
that the size of the stars must create the correct balance between their
colour and
the background. The answer to question two is that (I believe) the colours
that represent Australia should be blue and gold. ‘Australian’ Blue
- that kind of rich, deep endless blue of our glorious sky. And a golden yellow
to symbolise the great wealth of the nation, the strength of the people and
the
bright future ahead.
This flag, I feel, will perfectly represent the transition between the
past and the future and will give us a symbol that will last forever.
For as long as there is Australia we will always look up to the
Southern Cross."
Ken Done
November 4th 1997 |
Flag