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Australian Flag Society
National Convenor [1]Nigel Morris (since 2008)
Founded4 July 2001 [As Australian National Flag Association (ACT) Inc] [2][3]
IdeologyNational conservatism
Slogan"Fear God, Honour the Queen, Remember 1915!" [4]
Website
www.flagsociety.org.au

The Australian Flag Society (AFS) was founded as an advocacy group to argue the case for a referendum and constitutional elevation for the existing flag of Australia.[5][6][7]

The website of the AFS states the following aims and objectives:

  • Making civics education, vexillogical and other resources available to organisations and the general public and considering all requests for grants of aid and materiel.
  • Due recognition of the Australian National Flag and observance of Australian National Flag Day, 3 September.
  • Facilitating contact between supporters of the Society to discuss ways to promote the Australian National Flag and patriotism in general.
  • Maintaining a general headquarters and preservation of the Society's collection.
  • Continuing to add to the body of knowledge through primary research.

Structure

According to Dr Elizabeth Kwan's "Flag and Nation" the AFS was originally constituted as the Australian Capital Territory branch of the Australian National Flag Association (ANFA).[2][3][5] However, on 15 July 2003, affiliation with ANFA was severed, and the organisation rebranded.[5][7][8] Since its inception the AFS spokesperson has been Nigel Morris [9] who in 2002 was described as a "flag lobbyist" by the Canberra Times. [10]

Under the AFS unincorporated constitution (adopted 25 October 2008),[11] [12].the National Convenor may admit voting rights members and appoint from among their number officers of the Executive Council. In addition, members of the general public are able to subscribe to the AFS as supporters free of charge.[6]

Campaigns and initiatives

Parliament house centenary flag

On the 18 September 2001 during the centenary of federation the federal member for Hinkler, Paul Neville, would request of the speaker that:

"before it [the flag] becomes too faded or too tattered, [it] be taken down and perhaps offered to a museum or an art gallery as the seminal flag that flew over this building 100 years from the time the first flag was flown?" [13]

The parliament house centenary flag was subsequently entrusted to the AFS and has been paraded at schools to mark Australian National Flag Day on a tour of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Wounded Soldiers Gift Fund

In conjunction with Flag Day 2012, the AFS began an annual flag day charity appeal, making sales of postcards, flag related merchandise and receiving donations towards a gift and bereavement fund for wounded members of the Australian Defence Force.[21]

Australian Christian Broadcasting

In December 2016 the AFS launched Australian Christian Broadcasting as a news wire service focusing on biblical eschatology and current world events.

It is the position of the AFS that the Australian constitution and national flag are both of divine inspiration.[22]

Civics education

Morris secured federal funding for the distribution of the "Our National Flag ... since 1901" video kit to all primary schools in Australia in 2002.[23][24][25]

The AFS proposed 22 August be proclaimed as "Captain Cook Day" in 2005 to commemorate the day explorer James Cook laid claim to the east coast of Australia as New South Wales on Possession Island in the name of King George III.[26]

National language, holiday and flag bill

On 30 April 2009 the AFS released their National Language, Holiday and Flag Bill, as the way forward in response to a petition of certain citizens calling for a parliamentary committee to review the Flags Act 1953 (Cth).[11] It proposes to amend the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (IMP) by way of modifiable provisions declaring English to be the national language, 26 January in each year to be Australia Day and the existing flag to be the Australian National Flag.[27][28][29]

Under the proposed legislative and constitutional refinements, it is envisaged that the Flags Act would remain on the statute books, to provide the construction sheet for the Australian National Flag which would be described in terms of its essential elements in the constitution, thereby settling the question of popular sovereignty in relation to the process for reviewing the design - in whole or in part - with a weighty body of legal opinion against the constitutionality of the current statutory rules in subsections 3(2) & (3),[30][31] which provide for an instant-runoff for choosing between the existing flag and one or more alternatives, on the basis of universal suffrage. As the device occupying the lower hoist is simply referred to as a "large white Commonwealth Star", the number of points on what is a well recognised heraldic symbol in its own right [32] could be varied by ordinary legislation, according to changes in membership of the Australian Federation, and not by a plebiscite as currently required, which would remove what has been criticised as an "anomalous and costly" impediment.[33]

Opposition to the recognition of other flags

In the lead up to the sesquicentenary of the Eureka Stockade in 2004, the AFS opposed moves to have the Eureka Flag officially recognised under the Flags Act 1953 (Cth).[34][35][36][37][38]

In 2008 the AFS lobbied members of the Tasmanian parliament for a public inquiry to be held in response to a motion proposed by Denison Labor MHA Lisa Singh to have the Australian Aboriginal Flag stand in Parliament House, Hobart.[11][39]

Search for the "Eureka Jack"

Main article: Eureka_Flag
File:EUREKA JACK INSET.jpg
Image of assumed flag arrangement at the battle of the Eureka Stockade.

In 2013 the AFS announced a worldwide quest and $10,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of the Union Jack which was reportedly hoisted as a second flag at the battle of the Eureka Stockade.[40]

Pause for the national salute

The AFS has proposed that all schools in Australia pause to recite the words of the national salute as part of the annual Australian National Flag Day commemorations. Formerly a tradition the national salute was part of the school curriculum until falling into disuse from the late 1950s. [41] The version used by the AFS reads as follows:

"I fear God, I love my country, I honour her Queen, I salute her flag, I promise to always obey her laws." [42]

Wartime not dreamtime

The AFS has formulated a five point plan for "wartime national unity and security" which alongside the National Language, Holiday and Flags Bill calls for the federal government to implement a nuclear hedging policy; appoint three deputy governor generals as part of continuity of government planning; oppose indigenous treaties, separate elected and constitutional representation and officially proclaim the Holy Bible as Australia’s national book. [43]

The official AFS facebook fan page features a 'world war 3 watch' series which regularly monitors developments in relation to the civil wars in Ukraine and Syria, the North Korean missile crisis, the Iranian nuclear accord and the South China Sea dispute. [44]

Publications

  • Flag Breaking News is an occasional news bulletin published by the Australian Flag Society.[45][46]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Kwan, 2006, p. 11
  2. ^ a b Pickworth, Carin, "ACT student rapt with Aussie flag", The Canberra Times, 6 July 2001
  3. ^ a b http://www.australianflag.org.au/newsletter-2001/
  4. ^ https://www.facebook.com/Australian.Flag.Society/posts/1552200518128822
  5. ^ a b c Kwan, Dr Elizabeth. Flag and Nation. University of New South Wales Press, 2006, p. 11
  6. ^ a b "Australian Flag Society". Flagsociety.org.au. Archived from the original on 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2012-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety, Office of Regulatory Services
  8. ^ Centenera, Jeff, "Colours lowered as ACT's flag group ordered to disband", The Canberra Times, 4 November 2002
  9. ^ Kwan, 2006, p. 11
  10. ^ Centenera, Jeff, "Colours lowered as ACT's flag group ordered to disband", The Canberra Times, 4 November 2002
  11. ^ a b c http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=43963562568
  12. ^ According to the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety, Office of Regulatory Services, the Australian Flag Society's incorporation ceased on 15 April 2005
  13. ^ Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 18 September 2001, 30853 (Paul Neville)
  14. ^ Ian Warden, 'How cricketing animals were kept off Australia's national flag', The Canberra Times (Canberra), 4 September 2002, p. 7
  15. ^ 'Students celebrate as the Australian flag turns 103', The Reporter (Acacia Ridge), 8 September 2004, p. 3
  16. ^ Annelie Hailes, 'Huge flag for a big country', Courier Mail, 4 September 2009, p. 33
  17. ^ 'Special day flagged by Central students', The Queensland Times, 2 September 2010, p. 6
  18. ^ Sarah Harvey, 'Now that’s a flag! Students salute big flag', The Queensland Times, p. 4 September 2012, p. 1
  19. ^ Chris Owen, ‘Ensign flags a very special Aussie day’, The Queensland Times, 3 September 2013, p. 2
  20. ^ Iconic flag to tour Warwick, Warwick Daily News, p. 3
  21. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2013-06-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ^ https://www.facebook.com/pg/Australian.Christian.Broadcasting/about/?ref=page_internal
  23. ^ "History of Aussie flag to be given to schools", Canberra Sunday Times, 11 August 2002
  24. ^ "Civics | Our National Flag...since 1901". Curriculum.edu.au. 2005-06-14. Archived from the original on 2012-04-30. Retrieved 2012-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Nigel Morris - On Line Opinion Author". Onlineopinion.com.au. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  26. ^ "Society Flags Captain Cook Day", The Canberra Times, 23 August 2005
  27. ^ "National Language, Holiday and Flag Bill". Flagsociety.org.au. 1998-03-24. Archived from the original on 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2012-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Australian Flag Society responds to Ray Martin". Australian Conservative. 1998-03-24. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  29. ^ "No Republic! Australians for Constitutional Monarchy - The Flag and the Constitution". Norepublic.com.au. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  30. ^ http://www.ausflag.com.au/government_accepts_advice.asp
  31. ^ http://www.ausflag.com.au/government_to_preserve_flag.asp
  32. ^ http://www.ausflag.com.au/reply_to_ausflag_letter.asp
  33. ^ http://www.ausflag.com.au/open_letter_to_the_pm.asp
  34. ^ "Eureka flag proposal puts critics in a flap - Local News - News - General". The Courier. 2004-07-21. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  35. ^ Best, Catherine (2003-03-05). "Liberal MP rubbishes Eureka flag proposal - Local News - News - General". The Courier. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  36. ^ "Ronaldson slams King over flag campaign - Local News - News - General". The Courier. 2003-03-06. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  37. ^ "Eureka: An historic distraction - On Line Opinion - 3/12/2004". On Line Opinion. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  38. ^ "No Republic! Australians for Constitutional Monarchy - Eureka - Australia's Historical Distraction". Norepublic.com.au. 2004-08-10. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  39. ^ "Flag motion procedural, says Polley - Local News - News - Politics - The Examiner Newspaper". Examiner.com.au. 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  40. ^ http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1858615/10000-reward-to-track-down-the-other-eureka-flag
  41. ^ Kwan, 2006, p. 159
  42. ^ https://www.facebook.com/Australian.Flag.Society/photos/a.210701592278728.64879.124224670926421/1890297980985739
  43. ^ https://www.facebook.com/pg/Australian.Flag.Society/about
  44. ^ "Australian Flag Society". Facebook. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  45. ^ "Flag Breaking News" (PDF). Australian Flag Society. December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2014.
  46. ^ "Flag breaking news bulletin". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
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