Flags of the Governors of the Australian states
From Freepedia
The Governors of the Australian States, who represent their respective Head of State (the Queen of Australia), have a personal flag in that role. With the exception of Queensland’s, these flags originate during the 1970s and 1980s.
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History
The Governors of British colonies were entitled to deface the Union Flag with a local badge or coat of arms to represent their status as vice-regal representative in that colony. In the then Australasian colonies, the Governors used the Colonial badge encircled in a laurel wreath. After Federation, when the Australian colonies became Australian States, the Governors continued using their earlier flags.
As Australia developed a unique identity, however, it became apparent that it was inappropriate to use what was essentially a foreign nation's flag to represent Australian governments, particularly after the States were made independent of the United Kingdom with the Australia Acts. Thus, replacements were made.
Current Flags
The State Governors’ flags of most States is the same as the State’s flag but with a St Edward’s crown above the badge. The flags of Victoria and Queensland already contain a crown, and so these States use a different model: the Governor of Victoria’s flag uses a gold ensign with the stars of the Southern Cross in red, whereas the Governor of Queensland’s flag maintains the old defaced Union Jack.
 New South Wales (15 January 1981) |
 Victoria (18 April 1984) |
 Queensland (12 April 1988) |
 South Australia (18 September 1975) |
 Western Australia |
 Tasmania (February 1977) |
Sea also
External links
“State Governors’ Flags” at Flags of the World: Site contains links to images of the State Governors’ flags.
