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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.
The Honourable Alfred Deakin was Australia's Prime Minister three times from 1903 to 1910. He attended Melbourne Grammar School and the University of Melbourne. He practiced law and was a journalist for the Age newspaper.
Since 1901 there have been ten public competitions for a new national flag and they have drawn over 60,000 entries.
Sir Macfarlane Burnet was the first Australian of the Year in 1960.
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.
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Since 1988 Australia Day celebrations across the country have continued to grow in number and stature. Ceremonies now appeal to a broad community audience and attendances have increased considerably over the last 10 years.
While January 26 has remained our National Day from the time of Phillip's landing, discussion has taken place since the 1800s on the pros and cons of this particular date. Over the years, the reason cited for a possible change of date has been varied - historical, practical and most recently, the desire for reconciliation with our Indigenous population.
The Centenary of Federation celebrations, held throughout Australia in 2001, opened and closed on Australia Day.
For Indigenous Australians, Invasion or Survival Day is an annual reminder of the occupation of the country they had inhabited for tens of thousands of years and recalls the damage to their relationship with the land, culture, traditions and beliefs that followed. However, many Indigenous people are active within Australia Day committees today. Australia Day is an important annual opportunity to recognise the honoured place of Indigenous Australians in our nation's history, and to promote understanding, respect and reconciliation. The Apology to the Stolen Generation on 13 February 2008 was an important milestone, for many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, in the Reconciliation process.
The date remains January 26 and the discussion continues.
Australia Day today is a community day. With formal ceremonies around the country - flag raisings, citizenship ceremonies and the presentation of community awards - combined with local events and fun activities, the day belongs to the people.
People’s March, Melbourne, Australia Day 2007.
Celebrations now include a strong festive aspect with special events encouraging the participation of the entire family and all members of the community. Australia Day committees involve their ethnic and Indigenous communities, service clubs, sporting and cultural organisations while local government is increasingly supportive. Nationally, Australia Day celebrations are growing each year. Recent polls show that an overwhelming proportion of Australians now view the celebration of our National Day as a significant and important event and actively participate in some way - at organised celebrations or with friends and family.
Image from John White Photos
While the historical significance of January 26 remains, there is a greater awareness of the wish to celebrate modern Australia. It is a land of many people, but one nation. It is a young, fresh and vibrant country in one of the oldest lands on earth, with one of the oldest cultures. It is a land of extremes but also a land of harmony and of the spirit of the fair go. Australia is one of the few countries in the world to celebrate more than 150 years of continuous democratic government.
At the Australia Day Luncheon on 23 January 2008, the Premier of Victoria, the Hon John Brumby MP, concluded his speech with the following words:
Australia Day Ambassadors with the Premier of Victoria, November 2007
The world we live in is changing rapidly. We face different challenges and issues than we did 150 years ago. But the values that defined us then are the values which will sustain and guide us in the years ahead. And it is those defining values – ideas, innovation, giving and diversity – that will make us an even stronger, more inclusive, more compassionate and more successful nation.
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.
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