Aboriginal flag

The Aboriginal flag was designed by Harold Thomas, a Luritja man from Central Australia. It was created as a symbol of unity and national identity for Aboriginal people during the land rights movement of the early 1970s.

The symbolic meaning of the flag colours (as stated by Mr Harold Thomas) are:

Black: represents the Aboriginal people of Australia
Red: represents the red earth, the red ochre and a spiritual relation to the land
Yellow: represents the sun, the giver of life and protector.

In view of its increasing importance in Australian society, the government initiated steps in 1994 to give the flag legal recognition. After a period of public consultation, the government made its own decision in July 1995 that the flag should be proclaimed a Flag of Australia under Section 5 of the Flags Act 1953. The flag was so proclaimed by the Governor General of Australia, William Hayden, on 14 July 1995.

Torres Strait Islander flag

The Torres Strait Islander flag was designed by Bernard Namok, from Thursday Island.

The flag is emblazoned with a white Dari (headdress), which is a symbol of Torres Strait Islanders. The white five-pointed star beneath it symbolises the five major island groups and the navigational importance of stars to these seafaring people.

The Federal Government initiated steps in 1994 to give the flag legal recognition. After a period of public consultation, the Government decided in July 1995 that the flag should be proclaimed a Flag of Australia under section 5 of the Flags Act 1953. The flag was so proclaimed by the Governor General of Australia, William Hayden, on 14 July 1995.

Story contributed by Deborah Byrne from NSW Department of Education. Published in 2016.