New flag design.

[Cuppa]

What does everyone think. I wasn't sure until I read the thought and design put into it. Its growing on me already.



http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/...flag-academic/

1. I don't like that flag & agree it looks 'cartoon'ish.

2. I think it is past time that we dropped the Union Jack from our flag.

3. I think it is past time that we should acknowledge indigenous Australians on our flag.

4. Although I don't expect all to agree, or even like me saying..... But I have little doubt that some of the views expressed represent a disguised racism.

5. In the 25 years I have lived in Australia (Australian citizen for 23) I have witnessed a change in the meaning of Australia Day to many, particularly the younger generations. Whilst patriotism is something I believe is worthy of respect & encouragement, it distresses me to see a growing confusion between patriotism & racism. Whilst any criticism of the type of attitudes characterized by the "If you don't love it, leave it" is hard to have heard by those who believe they are simply being patriotic, such jingoistic attitudes are no doubt racist. When mobs wave our national flag as a means of proclaiming exclusiveness, rather than inclusiveness every Australia Day it has a dirty & unhealthy feel to it. I don't believe that this is what our diggers, including our indigenous diggers, fought for.

Ok, flameproof suit donned.

[Bigrig]

It seems that many think that Australia is the same country it was in 1901. Even the current flag is out of date. The commonwealth star only has 7 pointers. That needs to be updated. No-one is advocating changing our flag for the sake of it. I am on the fence, but I have an open mind about the topic and I can see that many in Australia now feel that the current flag does not fit their vision of Australia. And many countries have changed their flags over the centuries to reflect both their history their present and the people that live there.

The more I look at the flag in the original post and I think about it, the more I think that as a nation we can have a look at this. Its not an issue. Or a problem.

I think that change will come eventually. Like in any society the old guard moves on and the new incumbents bring a new and fresh way of looking at things.

If I was to design a flag for Australia I would simply take the Union jack off the current one and leave it at that.

Originally was a 6 pointed star for each of the states - was changed to a 7 pointed star for the 7th point to represent "and it's territories" - i.e. the 6 states and it's territories ... no need to revisit that one.


I'd Tap That!!

[Coldcomfort]

1. I don't like that flag & agree it looks 'cartoon'ish.

2. I think it is past time that we dropped the Union Jack from our flag.

3. I think it is past time that we should acknowledge indigenous Australians on our flag.

4. Although I don't expect all to agree, or even like me saying..... But I have little doubt that some of the views expressed represent a disguised racism.

5. In the 25 years I have lived in Australia (Australian citizen for 23) I have witnessed a change in the meaning of Australia Day to many, particularly the younger generations. Whilst patriotism is something I believe is worthy of respect & encouragement, it distresses me to see a growing confusion between patriotism & racism. Whilst any criticism of the type of attitudes characterized by the "If you don't love it, leave it" is hard to have heard by those who believe they are simply being patriotic, such jingoistic attitudes are no doubt racist. When mobs wave our national flag as a means of proclaiming exclusiveness, rather than inclusiveness every Australia Day it has a dirty & unhealthy feel to it. I don't believe that this is what our diggers, including our indigenous diggers, fought for.

Ok, flameproof suit donned.

I wont flame ya Cuppa. I think you make many valid points. BTW that flag is not the one that was referred to as cartoonistic.... BTW did anyone notice that there is still a 7 point star on this flag? Would a 8 point star be correct? I think that the green and gold southern cross stars should be plain white.

[taslucas]

If you show our current flag to most foreigners and ask what country is that flag for. Many, if not most would not have a clue.......

I can only name a handful of other countries flags. I don't think the ones I don't know should change so that I can match the flag to the country. A pizza on the Italian flag? An Indian totem pole on the American? (or maybe a big mac lol), what part of German history should be shown on their flag? Is history is to be shown on flags, what would the British look like? Hundreds of small pictures from many many cultures that have all made their mark. If the current state of a country should be shown on a flag, what would the British look like? Hundreds of small pictures from many many cultures that are all making their mark. Lol don't get me wrong, I'm not ranting, just thinking out loud:-)

FanTapstic!

[Coldcomfort]

Originally was a 6 pointed star for each of the states - was changed to a 7 pointed star for the 7th point to represent "and it's territories" - i.e. the 6 states and it's territories ... no need to revisit that one.


I'd Tap That!!

Which State or Territory is not included in the 7 point star??

[Bigrig]

Which State or Territory is not included in the 7 point star??

None are missed mate - it was originally a 6 point star to represent the 6 states included in the 1901 Federation, but was altered to include an additional point that covers the territories in collective. Ergo the 7 pointed star to represent the "6 states and all territories" of the nation. Making it an 8 pointed star is not something I'd have any issue with as I think the borders are finalised for a while to come. But as said, there endeth my overall interest in changing it ... cosmetic and not sure it's necessary.


I'd Tap That!!

[Bigrig]

1. I don't like that flag & agree it looks 'cartoon'ish.

2. I think it is past time that we dropped the Union Jack from our flag.

3. I think it is past time that we should acknowledge indigenous Australians on our flag.

4. Although I don't expect all to agree, or even like me saying..... But I have little doubt that some of the views expressed represent a disguised racism.

5. In the 25 years I have lived in Australia (Australian citizen for 23) I have witnessed a change in the meaning of Australia Day to many, particularly the younger generations. Whilst patriotism is something I believe is worthy of respect & encouragement, it distresses me to see a growing confusion between patriotism & racism. Whilst any criticism of the type of attitudes characterized by the "If you don't love it, leave it" is hard to have heard by those who believe they are simply being patriotic, such jingoistic attitudes are no doubt racist. When mobs wave our national flag as a means of proclaiming exclusiveness, rather than inclusiveness every Australia Day it has a dirty & unhealthy feel to it. I don't believe that this is what our diggers, including our indigenous diggers, fought for.

Ok, flameproof suit donned.

Hmmmm ... agreed in principle cuppa, but not sure I'd agree with the broad brush of racism driving a lack of desire for change ... irrespective of the union jack debate, you yourself have stated the inclusion of the indigenous flag. Why? It was formally recognised as a 'flag of the nation' in the mid nineties, but why should we have the two flags merged? Harold Thomas didn't even paint the indigenous flag until the early 70's, and even late into the 20th century, there was little if any acceptance by aboriginals themselves of a nationalistic union. Still very much tribal and isolated across geographic regions ... and I would suggest that opinion will be supported by most full bloods who have strong recognition and understanding of their heritage (come to my house on any given weekend and you can chat to a mates wife who is a full blood and no doubt you will get the same opinion).

One nation, one flag - I highly doubt if the indigenous flag was included into the current flag that you would see a drop in the usage of aboriginals flying their current flag - sort of defeats the purpose ... I'm cool with that truth be told, and support it in fact as that flag created a unity and nationalistic totem for the indigenous and whilst the vast majority accept openly they're Aussies, they have a deep seeded respect for their own culture and heritage and probably don't want the two flags incorporated - I think it smacks of hypocrisy to suggest its racist to not merge the two, when I feel it more racist (and a vain attempt at political correctness that ones don't truly believe in, and simply saying what "they think" the indigenous 'would like to see' without even asking the question) to not accept the vast majority don't want it merged anyway ...

You donned the flame proof suit, I've done the same and then dived into a vat of fire retardant as well!!! lol

Bring it on!!! lmao


I'd Tap That!!

[Clunk]

Part time Pom or Fulltime Clunk ???
My family arrived on HMS WANATA in 1850ish
settled in the Phillip island area at a place called Kilcunda
suppose that makes me 100% skip

I suppose I'd be classed as a part time pom. My folks are British, came over in the 60s, I was born in Port Hedland in 71 and became an instant Australian citizen. Lived there for 3 years, then the old man git work in Iran so off we went. Moved to Wales in 76,picked up my British passport. So then became a duel national. I came back to Perth 10 years ago on my Aussie passport and settled straight in. Work hard, pay me dues and don't expect to get anything for nothing.

Don't stroke it, TAP it!!!!.....

[threedogs]

Went from imperial to metric never told me
14th of FEB 1966 decimal change over
changed the national anthem again never told me
change the colour of the VB can never told me
Changed alcohol content of said VB again never told
Thats cool I'll get over it and have, bring on the next change
but bloody tell me first this time please

[evillius]

here's some I found on a quick google search for discussion. Most are from here www.newaussieflag.com There is more on there that are similar.