Preview

The New Australian Flag

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
627 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The New Australian Flag
Persuasive Speech
Almost twenty five percent of Australian residents were born outside of Australia. Then why do we proudly show this absurd flag that only represents our connections and history with Britain? A flag is a symbolic representation of its nation and people. We need a flag that can better reflect the values of the twenty first century Australia. I have created a new Australian flag that acknowledges all of its people and that reflects its status as a fully independent country but is still respectful of its British history. In this flag I have recognised Aboriginals and Torres Strait islanders; the original landholders, some historical and cultural connections to Britain and Australia’s beautiful landscape and geographical location.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people are first and foremost Australian citizens therefore shouldn’t they be recognised on our national flag? I have used two black stripes to represent these indigenous Australians and the sun and red land from the aboriginal flag. The national apology to Australia’s indigenous people in 2008 demonstrated the power of symbolic actions to progress recognition and reconciliation. Many of these indigenous people declared on that day, for the first time in their lives, they felt truly Australian. Recognising these people on our flag would also be a symbol of Australian’s respect for the unique cultures of indigenous Australians. Equality, Democracy, Fairness. The values that unite all Australians. Wouldn’t recognising all Australians only affirm these values?

Furthermore, Australia’s historical past has made us the country we are today. Our past connections to Britain have deeply influenced Australia and more importantly have served to create a path to which Australians desire change for the better. I have included the federation star which symbolises the seven colonies during British settlement and kept the blue background which represents Australia’s values: vigilance, truth and

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Paul Keating

    • 1437 Words
    • 6 Pages

    -> commemorate those who have died and those who have served for Australia in field of conflict…

    • 1437 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the critical response poem “The New True Anthem”, 1988, Kevin Gilbert challenges the Australian public about our patriotism or lack thereof. With this poem Kevin Gilbert acknowledges the fact that there is not just one single opinion of what has happened to the beautiful land that was once home to many native Aboriginal tribes all over the country. Australia’s sense of pride and admiration that is declared by Dorothea Mackellar in “My Country” is challenged and questioned by Kevin Gilbert. The issues explored in the bitter poem are a lack of patriotism for Australia and shame.…

    • 555 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Noel Pearson Summary

    • 376 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In Pearson’s speech, the criticism of John Howard, who was at the time the Prime Minister, throughout the speech shows the idea that the past Australian Governments had made a mistake in treating Aboriginal Australians in the past, and that modern day government is trying to forget that past because of the guilt and shame it had caused the Australian government in the past. Pearson directly quotes comments made by John Howard during a radio interview, but uses these comments to emphasise his own key arguments rather than support those being made by Howard. By using quotes from other sources he broadens the scope of his argument and makes his own argument less of a personal crusade. Pearson also focuses on National Identity and determining “who we are”. Pearson acknowledges the current debate of National Identity by making reference to the “hot button issue” about “the guilt about Australia’s colonial Identity”. The extended metaphor of button pressing and the cliché “You would not need to be a political genius” stresses the “great electoral resonance” of the National Identity debate. Another technique Pearson applies is the use of inclusive language in his speech. This is cleverly woven into the speech by repeated references to “our nation” and the action that “we” have to take to correct the injustices of the past. This facilitates Pearson’s depiction of Aboriginal rights being a social, political, legal and religious concern for the nation as a whole and thus presents Pearson’s view on National Identity and the global perception of “who we are”. The past shows that Australia as a nation…

    • 376 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Australian Identity

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages

    For decades people have contributed to the expansion and change of the Australian identity, however because of Australia’s cultural diversity Australia has come to discover many but one, and be known as a stereotyped nation rather than a nation of identity because we are known for many things but one.…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Australian Identity

    • 1628 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Australian identity refers to how a country is depicted as a whole whilst encompassing its culture, traditions, language and politics. Australia is the smallest, youngest continent with the lowest population density, which often struggles to define its national identity. As Australia originates from British descent, it lacks originality in culture and heritage. One aspect as portrayed by Tim Winton in his narrative style article Tide of Joy is an Australian identity revolving around summer by the sea with family. Danny Katz emphasises the difference between those considered ‘worthy’ of celebrating Australia Day and those that do not meet the criteria in his editorial Aussie, Aussie, Aussie? No, No, No. These two texts help to define the open-ended question of, ‘How do we define Australian identity?’ However, the texts both represent a narrow range of individuals in Australian society and therefore by reading these two texts alone, it is a rather biased view of the Australian stereotype.…

    • 1628 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Australian flag was chosen in 1901, when a competition was held to design our country's flag. The guidelines of this competition included that the Union Jack and Southern Cross should appear on the flag. However, I believe that in the year 2001, the Australian flag needs to be changed. During the course of this essay, I will show that the Australian flag does not represent all Australians, in particular, Aboriginal Australians and that the symbols on our flag are no longer relevant and are not unique to Australia. I will also show that the present flag is not instantly recognisable and is too similar to flags of other countries.…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    AIA History of Bangledesh

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages

    7. ‘In the first decade after Federation Australians adopted a racist and insular nationalism and privileged equality and security over enterprise and initiative.’ Do you agree?…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The opinions views and beliefs of our Australian population combined with influence from other countries and major voices are the main contributors towards our constantly changing and diverse Australian identity. Numerous texts explore aspects of this idea, including Robert Gray’s poems ‘north coast town’ and ‘Late ferry’, as well as a passage written by Kate Grenville entitled ‘mate’.…

    • 882 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    What Is Australian Identity

    • 2377 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Many questions have arisen addressing the Australian national identity. There has been claimed that ethnicity and multiculturalism are two of the factors that influence our sense of national identity. Van Krieken et al (2006, p.277) explained that the Australian national identity could be seen “as having been historically formed around a distinctive Anglo-Celtic ethnic core and at the same time it can be understood as an “invented tradition” or “imagined community” in which variety of disparate phenomena have been thrown together to create a national mythology, a sense of common…

    • 2377 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Australia Day is a public holiday held throughout the country on January 26, although celebrated as a wondrous occasion by many, it actually portrays the arrival of the First Fleet convict flotilla at Botany Bay, 1788. European settlers dispossessed the traditional owners of Australia, for this reason many Indigenous people refer to it as “Invasion Day” or “Survival Day.” As Professor Dodson agrees “We have to have a date that’s more inclusive than January 26.” The changing of the date of Australia Day would broadcast our sincerity and hope for reconciliation for what the first settlers committed. To many Australians, Australia Day is just another day off. Therefore, Australia Day should be changed to a more appropriate date that truly represents Australians at our finest.…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Australia is a country that has been described as diverse, multicultural and unique. Our geography, flora and fauna and cultural history are different to anywhere else, which has definitely captured the attention of the rest of the world. Australian society has evolved in a very short space of time from the earliest convict settlements established in the mid 19thcentury, to the cosmopolitan states that currently exist and attract immigrants from all continents across the globe. Australia’s history has reflected conflict, human rights violations, economic growth and the hardship associated with establishing a refined society in a harsh and primitive landscape. Throughout the various stages of Australian history, Australians have attempted to grab onto an identity that makes them unique and able to bond with another fellow Australian. This has not always been easy, given the diversity that has grown over the centuries - the definition of the true Australian identity has changed over time.…

    • 5119 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    If we celebrating Australia day, which shows the disrespect to the Aboriginal Australians. Not celebrating Australia day at least makes them feel the society pays attention on them and their ethnic group is being respected.…

    • 379 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Canadian Flag, sometimes referred to as the "Maple Leaf", is a true symbol of Canada and shows how we love our land by having a maple leaf on the flag. The colours of the flag are the official national colours of Canada, red and white. King George V appointed them in 1921.…

    • 551 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Australian identity has in fact a number of identities competing to be the true Australian national identity. The two main parts of this competition is the bush legend and the beach and suburbs. However it should not be thought that either of these parts is a completely set idea and image of Australia. This essay will argue that the Australian identity to a great extent is now based on ideas and images that relate to the beach and suburbs rather than the bush. Although it is important to know that the bush legend has not been wiped out totally and still exists. Multiculturalism is just one of the main factors in modifying the Australian identity from a rural to a more urban based landscape and way of life. This essay will begin by discussing…

    • 998 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sometimes we forget about our own history, our country’s history. What we come from and who we are, deep down. In short: our identity.…

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays