Reconciliation South Australia Inc
"a united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all"
Be the change; I am the change.
National Reconciliation Week: 27 May to 3 June
Aboriginal flag
Torres Strait Islander flag
Reconciliation - South Australia Inc is proudly supported by:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags |
Aboriginal flag
- The black symbolises the Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- The red represents the earth and the colour of ochre, which has ceremonial significance.
- The circle of yellow in the centre of the flag represents the sun.
The Australian Aboriginal Flag was first raised on 12 July 1971 at Victoria Square in Adelaide. It was also used at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972.
Mr Harold Thomas from Northern Australia designed the flag.
The Australian Aboriginal Flag was proclaimed an official flag of Australia on 14 July 1995.
The Australian Aboriginal Flag is protected by copyright and may only be reproduced in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 or with the permission of Mr Harold Thomas.
Did you also know that while it is protocol that when the Australian National Flag is flown with flags of other nations, all flags should be the same size and flown on flagpoles of the same height, this same protocol does not apply to the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags? That means that in practice, the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander flags fly lower than the Australian flag, in spite it being designated as an official flag of Australia. The Flag Act 1953 makes provision for the Governor General to make rules about the flying of offical flags. If you think the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags should be the same size and flown on flagpoles of the same height, email the Governor General
Torres Strait Islander flag
The Torres Strait Islander Flag was adopted in May 1992 during the Torres Strait Islands Cultural Festival.
- The green panels at the top and bottom of the flag represent the land
- The central blue panel represents the sea.
- The black lines dividing the panels represent the Torres Strait Islander people.
- The centre of the flag shows a white dhari (dancer’s headdress) and is a symbol for all Torres Strait Islanders.
- Underneath the dhari is a white five-pointed star. The star is an important symbol for navigating the sea. The points of the star represent the island groups in the Torres Strait and white symbolises peace.
The Torres Strait Islander Flag was proclaimed an official flag of Australia on 14 July 1995.
The Island Coordinating Council holds copyright in the Torres Strait Islander Flag. Requests for permission to reproduce the Torres Strait Islander Flag should be addressed to the Secretary of the Island Coordinating Council.
For more information visit the It's an Honour website.