THIS lunch time your correspondent was somewhat surprised to see the Australian National Flag flying on City Hill rather than the more usual flag of the ACT.
Asking around the local Minister’s offices it took some time to get an answer, but eventually an email was forwarded from the Commonwealth Flag Network explaining the event:
To All Flag Marshals: Action Australia-wide
Day of National Celebration
Australian National Flag Day
3 September 2014Wednesday 3 September 2014 is Australian National Flag Day.
Australian National Flag Day celebrates the first time the flag was flown over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne in 1901, when Australia’s first Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Sir Edmund Barton, announced the winners of a competition to design a national flag for Australia.
3 September is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the anniversary of the Australian National Flag by flying or displaying the Australian National Flag.
In accordance with flag protocol, Australian Government departments and associated portfolio agencies are requested to fly or display the Australian National Flag on 3 September 2014 to join in the celebration of the Australian National Flag. If facilities permit, you may wish to consider displaying multiple Australian National Flags on this day. Other organisations are encouraged to follow this protocol.
3 September also marks Merchant Navy Day. It is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of thousands of Australia’s merchant mariners during wartime. Organisations and individuals commemorating Merchant Navy Day may fly the Australian Red Ensign. When the Australian Red Ensign is flown along with the Australian National Flag, the Australian National Flag should be flown in the position of honour.
Additional information on how to celebrate Australian National Flag Day and the protocols for flying the flag can be found on the website www.itsanhonour.gov.au.
Commonwealth Flag Officer
27 August 2014
A mystery resolved.
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