The book of unusual facts about australian flag

Australian national flag fun facts department of the. In 2005, australian parliament took a few citizen complaints a little too seriously and banned anyone on their staff from using the word mate while at work. The australian flag consists of a blue ensign defaced with the commonwealth or federation star in. The southern cross constellation on the black stripe is used on the national flag and on those of several australian states. The name australia comes from the latin, terra australia incognito, which means the unknown southern land.

Important facts the australian flag was first flown at the royal exhibition buildings, melbourne on 3rd september 1901, in the presence of the first prime minister of australia, the hon. For a quick doze of some really crazy facts about australia, check out this list below. The first flags were flown in the 18th century to tell others that we own a piece of land proclaim a possession and that we rule over the people and land proclaim sovereignty. This is the only place in the world where you can still find the lung fish. With a referendum on scottish independence coming later this year, britain may have to rethink. The badge is a light blue maltese cross with an imperial crown in the centre of the cross. Until this time, australia used britains flag, the union jack. The state flag of queensland is a british blue ensign with the state badge on a white disc added in the fly. The table contains images of the australian national flag and of the flags of australias six states and two territories. Australia hosted the 1956 melbourne and 2000 sydney summer olympics. In 1901 australian prime minister, the rt hon sir edmund barton, announced an international competition to design a flag for the nation.

Its unusual ochrered background has been reproduced in various shades by flag manufacturers and book publishers. But until recently, most australians wouldnt touch the stuff. For all of us who love and treasure our national flag of stars and crosses there is good news as an impressive flag protocol book is now available published by the commonwealth government and it is free of charge. Australia is a land of diversity, food, history and some wellloved weirdness. Australian national flag day was proclaimed by the governorgeneral in 1996 to commemorate the day in 1901 on which the australian national flag was first flown. Every country has got a specific flag as their national symbol. You can expect to see the flag a good few times during your holiday to australia so here are a few fun facts for you to know.

Melbourne is considered the sporting capital of the world, as it has more top level sport available for its citizens than anywhere else. There are around 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. The explorers expected to see port philipp bay from the top, but a large number of trees prevented this. Here are a list of facts that you may not know about australian animals, culture, people and iconic landmarks in preparation for your visit to australia. This fact sheet explains australias key national symbols, including the coat of arms, our flags, the national anthem, the floral emblem and our national colours.

Each page has a rhyme about each animal and then intersting true facts around the edges of the pages. For more information, check out maps of australia or take a closer look at the australian flag. If you took them all out and laid them end to end, theyd stretch around the world more than twice. Interestingly, australia is both a country and a continent. The crosses of which countries may be seen in the australian national flag. Flag of the northern territory australian flag britannica. The animals of australia are some of the most interesting in the world, from cuddly marsupials to a huge variety of birds. It was first flown in melbourne on 3 september 1901. Edmund barton and lady hopetoun, wife of our first governorgeneral. There are 36 species of poisonous funnelweb spiders and 20 types of venomous snakes. Australia has over 750 different reptile species, more than any other country in the world. One of the interesting facts about australia is that australia is the biggest island and the smallest continent in the world. From lamingtons and pavlova to kangaroo burgers and emu steaks, australia has a cuisine that is as unique and varied as its wildlife and vegetation.

These facts will give you insights into the countrys history, people, wildlife, culture, tourism, famous inventions and more 1. Australias flag simple printable a blackline master printout of the flag of australia. The 5 stars of the southern cross appear on the right half, the commonwealth star and the union jack are shown at left. Fortunately, prime minister john howard objected, claiming that mate was an important part of australian culture, and the ban was overturned within 24 hours. The large cities of perth, sydney and melbourne are iconic places to visit, with buzzing centres and a multitude of beaches, from the sands of bondi to the surf of trigg. Interesting facts about the australian flag in 2020 australian flags. The islands are an australian possession, and therefore fly the flag of australia. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on earth. In the upper left corner the union jack represents australias association with great britain. The australian flag is a national symbol representing australian identity and pride. A st georges cross with four gold stars and a lion in the fly of a british blue ensign. Find out some facts about some really cool animals, including bats, dolphins, tigers, pandas, lions and even hedgehogs. Australian animals are a fascinating group that includes some of the most unusual creatures on earth.

Here are some interesting and fun facts to know about the iconic stars and stripes. The worlds largest espresso machine is fitted in australia. Australian music, art, and cuisine were held in low regard. A great book for teaching children about australian widlife in a fun and unique way. Approximately 90% of the animals native to australia. There are so many opportunities to experience the wildlife of the country, from zoos and parks to spotting these unique creatures in the wild. Our opponents in this debate like to rewrite history and pretend that our current national flag the blue australian ensign has been our national flag forever and that people have fought and died for it. A competition was held to design a new flag for the new country. Five stars are in the shape of the constellation the southern cross, the other is the commonwealth star. It includes a blue ensign and three motifs, each signifying important aspects of statehood. They also tend to shorten words, so afternoon becomes arvo, breakfast turns into brekkie, kindergarten is kindy, and good day, is gday.

The flag of australia is based on the british maritime blue ensign a blue field with the union jack in the canton or upper hoist quarter augmented or defaced with a large white sevenpointed star the commonwealth star and a representation of the southern cross constellation, made up of five white stars one small fivepointed star and four, larger, sevenpointed stars. Before the arrival of humans, australia was home to megafauna. In 1901, australia became a single country, instead of six separate colonies. The flag dates from 1876, with minor variations, and the badge was designed by william hemmant, the colonial secretary and treasurer of queensland in 1876. Larger images of the flags can be viewed by clicking on individual flags. The protocols for the appropriate use and the flying of the flag australian flags describes the history and significance of the australian national flag and other flags of australia, and explains the protocol for. Australia fun facts, south australia, british empire flag. This shows that australia is part of the british commonwealth. Congress adopted the stars and stripes as the american flag on june 14, 1777. One third blue with the southern cross, the other two thirds are yellow with the coat of arms of canberra 1876present. Some of these australia facts you may have heard before but i bet therell be a few surprises. Flag of australia simple english wikipedia, the free. Here are some interesting facts about australian food.

The winning flag has a blue background, the union jack, and six stars. Each year, brisbane hosts the world championships of cockroach racing. Learn some cool and amazing facts about the heart and the brain. So here are some weird or interesting facts about australia. In 1865, under the colonial naval defence act, passed by the imperial parliament, the australian colonies were empowered to provide, maintain and use vessels of war. Men of stamina, women who dare advertising material from the rare books collection australian. The australian flag debate is a periodic question over whether the australian flag should be changed, particularly to remove the union jack from the canton, but. The continent of australia has vast expenses of desert and semiarid land in its interior, subtropical rain forest in the northeast, and grasslands and mountain ranges along the perimeter. Northern territory and australian capital territory which is around canberra, the capital city. The australian flag was first flown at the royal exhibition buildings, melbourne on 3rd september 1901, in the presence of the first prime minister of australia, the. The country is divided into six states southern australia, western australia, new south wales, queensland, victoria and tasmania and two selfgoverning territories. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top. The vatican city is the country that drinks the most wine per capita at 74 liters per citizen per year. Whether you are planning on visiting australia, working on a geography project or just want to know more about this beautiful country, this is an excellent addition to your.

In honor of flag day, here is a list of 10 fun facts about the american flag and the history of flag day. These littleknown australian food facts might surprise. One reason is the muchtalked about cultural cringethe prejudice held by australians that australian culture is intrinsically inferior to others, particularly european. Australias national flag is one of only two in the world that has a seven pointed star on it. Economy is also one of the most amazing facts about australia.

Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. Where i live a short activity book on geography to print for early readers. There are pages on the solar system, the continents, australia states and territories, and the students address. A requirement therefore arose for each colony to have its own distinctive flag.

The blue based australian flag was adopted over the red design due to the fact that red represented communism. An 800meter high mountain that was named by the explorers hamilton hume and william hovell in 1824. Australia is home to 21 of the worlds 25 most venomous snakes. Jan 20, 2020 interesting facts about the australian flag. February 4, 2010 chads term 1, week 1 grade 4 australian studies oral report. Commonwealth government held an open competition calling for public input into. Countries, states, provinces and cities have all felt, at some point, the need to create a flag to inspire pride, but the results were not always something to be proud of. The australian flag was usually flown in conjunction with, often in an inferior position to, the union flag of the uk well into the 1960s despite the requirements of the flags act 1953.

Five designers shared the prize because they came up with similar ideas for the australian flag. The flag of the united states of america has gone through 27 different iterations, and plays a big part in the lives of americans and american culture. Articles on the country, the states, and the territories and on their respective flag histories can be accessed via the links below the flags. Facts about australia australia is the only continent covered by a single country with truly unique landscapes, natural wonders and extraordinary experiences for travellers. There are only 25 venomous snakes in the world and australia has 20 of them. The mountain got its name because of the disappointing view from the top. If you visit one new beach in australia every day, it would take over 27 years to see them all. Meet some of the strangest, most bizarre flags from around the world. The large deserts of central australia mean that the vast majority of the population live on the shores of this enormous country. The australian national flag association queensland.

Australia has the worlds longest golf course measuring more than 850 miles long. After you read these fun facts, check out 10 myths about the american flag too. Fun australia facts for kids interesting information. Many australians considered themselves to be britons, and arthur smout in his 1968 the flag book lamented the fact that many seemed to show more loyalty to the. These littleknown australian food facts might surprise you. Directly below the union jack is the white commonwealth, or federation star. Australias dingo fence is longer than the great wall of china.

A british blue ensign defaced with the commonwealth star with 6 points in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the southern cross in the fly half each star had a varying number of points. Your brain will definitely get a workout when you read all of these cool facts. Australians speak english thats full of coloring idioms. Two separate competitions to design a new flag for australia were held and these competitions attracted many thousands of entrants. Victoria was the first australian colony to have its own flag. Australians invented a lot of things including the ultrasound, vegemite, the tank, football, the refrigerator, the prepaid postage, the blackbox on airplanes, lawn mowers with engines, smoke alarms, asprinaspirin, the pacemaker, and penicillin etc 19. A competition was held to find the design for australias own flag.