   |
|
Green and gold were formally proclaimed Australia's national colours in 1984 after many requests for recognition of what had become our traditional sporting colours.
Almost one in four of Australia’s population of over 20 million was born overseas, and 43 per cent have one or both parents born overseas.
A worldwide competition to design the Australian flag attracted 32,823 entries in 1901. There were 5 winners who shared the 200 pound prize money.
Australia's national colours of green and gold are those of the Golden Wattle tree in flower.
Since 1901 there have been ten public competitions for a new national flag and they have drawn over 60,000 entries.
|
|
|
   |
|
Since its formation in 1871, the ANA had been working towards the unified naming and dating of our national day. Following their concerted efforts and with the support of similar movements, the Commonwealth Government and all States and Territories finally agreed, in 1946, to observe the same National Day - 26 January - and to call that day Australia Day.
Separate Australian citizenship became law for the first time in 1949. The waves of non-British immigration after 1945 led to a new role for Australia Day, one that celebrated new citizenship with naturalisation ceremonies (now citizenship ceremonies).
An article in the Australia and New Zealand Weekly in January 1963 commented on the timing of naturalisation ceremonies for January 26, claiming that 'this year, 4,500 'New Australians' will become fully-fledged Australian citizens'. Citizenship ceremonies are still an integral part of Australia Day celebrations around the nation.
Celebrations began to recognise Australian excellence with Sir MacFarlane Burnet named the first Australian of the Year in 1960. Eight years later Lionel Rose became the first Aboriginal Australian of the Year.
Aborigines were pressing ahead in their campaign for citizens' rights, encouraged by the passing of the referendum in 1967 which gave the Federal Government power to legislate on Aboriginal matters. Radical Aborigines, angered by the Federal Government's rejection of their land rights, set up a tent embassy in front of Parliament House on the evening of Australia Day 1972 to protest against being treated as outcasts in their own country. The Aboriginal flag designed by Harold Thomas the previous year became a powerful symbol, not just for the embassy but other Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal people generally.
In 1979 the National Australia Day Council was formed and the Australia Day Committee (Victoria) was formed in 1982. From its inception, the Committee encouraged local celebrations, working with Councils and communities across Victoria to celebrate Australia Day. The Australia Day Committee (Victoria) also organises the Australia Day activities in Melbourne, and co-ordinates a number of year round programs associated with Australia Day.
Many Australians (32 per cent) also wanted a new flag, 26 per cent of them, one without the Union Jack. Ausflag, established in 1981, led the search for such a flag. The Australian National Flag Association, set up by the RSL in 1983, opposed that search.
In 1984 the Hawke Labor Government had Advance Australia Fair proclaimed as the national anthem. God Save the Queen was retained as the Royal Anthem for particular occasions.
However, the Australia Day public holiday was still held on the Monday closest to January 26 and to the broader community it was just another holiday.
By 26 January 1988, the community was ready to join in the excitement of the Bicentennial Celebrations. The world saw a 'spirited and emotional country' as Australians enjoyed the many spectacular events. In our bi-centenary year, 1988, the Australia Day public holiday was held around the nation on January 26. The highlight of the many celebrations was a re-enactment of the First Fleet's voyage that departed from Portsmouth on May 13, 1987 and arrived in Australia in early January. Britain presented the tall ship, Young Endeavour, to Australia as its bi-centennial present.
Even before this event, the Federal Government had become involved in promoting Australia Day, by taking up the mantle worn by the ANA since the 1880s, especially in Victoria. In 1946 the ANA in Melbourne had begun the transition by prompting the formation of an Australia Day Committee drawn from representatives of many community organisations. Its purpose was to educate the public about the significance of Australia Day. In 1960 it introduced the Australian of the Year award. Similar groups formed in the other states took turns with the Victorian group in acting as the Federal Australia Day Council (FADC). In 1980 the federal government's newly-created National Australia Day Committee, based in the national capital, Canberra, took over that role with the FADC's agreement. In 1984 it became the National Australia Day Council (NADC), based in Sydney, with a stronger emphasis on sponsorship. Incorporation as a public company followed in 1990. The NADC returned to Canberra in 2000.
1988 was also named a Year of Mourning for Australia's Aboriginal people, who regarded the year as a celebration of survival. It was the most vocal Indigenous presence ever felt on January 26.
Between 1970 and 1990 the percentage of immigrants in Australia born in the British Isles dropped from 47.3 to 19.4.
It was not until 1994 that all the states and territories endorsed the celebration of Australia Day on the actual day instead of the closest Monday. United Australia Day celebrations have been held on 26 January ever since, although the public holiday is still usually gazetted for the following Monday if the 26th is a Saturday or Sunday.
The Australia Day Committee (Victoria) gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australia Day Council of New South Wales and the National Australia Day Council in compiling this history.
 |
