Ausflag is an organisation that promotes changing the flag of Australia. It was formed in 1981 by Harold Scruby who has since worked to foster debate on the design of the flag.[2] Prominent Australians that have been involved in the direction of Ausflag include Nicholas Whitlam, Phillip Adams, Cathy Freeman, Malcolm Turnbull, Janet Holmes à Court and Nick Greiner. Former chair of the Australian Republican Movement Malcolm Turnbull left the board of Ausflag in 1994 after being asked for his resignation, and in 2004, he joined the Australian National Flag Association.[3]
 | |
| Formation |
|
|---|---|
| Founder | Harold Scruby |
| Type | Non-profit advocacy group |
| Registration no. |
|
| Legal status | Public company limited by guarantee |
| Purpose | "[T]o secure the popular support of the Australian people for the adoption of an Australian flag, anthem, and colours."[1] |
Chairman | Robert Webster |
Executive Director | Harold Scruby |
| Website | https://www.ausflag.com.au |
Formerly called | AusFlag 1988 |
The group was affiliated with NZFlag, a now defunct trust promoting a redesign of the Flag of New Zealand.
Campaigns
editAusflag has promoted design competitions for a new flag in 1986 before the bicentenary, in 1993 after Sydney won the right to host the 2000 Summer Olympics, and in 1998, before the new millennium.[4]
In January 2011, the organisation drafted a statement in support of a new flag, which has been signed by over a dozen Australian of the Year recipients, including Patrick McGorry, Ian Kiernan, Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould, Ian Frazer, Gustav Nossal and Tim Flannery.[4]
On Australia Day 2013, Ausflag launched a seventh flag design, a concept for an Australian Sporting Flag.[5] None of the flag designs promoted by the organisation has been significantly used in the community.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "About Us". Ausflag. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Ray Martin leads push for new flag". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australian Associated Press. 25 January 2010.
- ^ "The Turnbull Letters". AusFlag. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
- ^ a b Huxley, John (26 January 2011). "Eminent Australians rally around as call goes out for a new flag". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Lion, Patrick (25 January 2013). "Ausflag unveils new Aussie flag to be used at sporting events". The Australian. News Limited.