Australian Coat of Arms
The Australian Coat of Arms is the official symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia.
King Edward VII granted the initial Coat of Arms in 1908, the current Coat of Arms was granted by King George V in 1912.
The shield contains the badge of each Australian state. In the top half from the left the states are New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. In the bottom half from the left the states are South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Above the shield is the Commonwealth Star above a blue and gold wreath, forming the crest. Six of the points on the star represent the original six states, while the seventh point represents the combined territories and any future states of Australia.
The Red Kangaroo and the Emu that support the shield are the unofficial Animal Emblems of Australia. As neither animal can walk backwards they represent progress and an unwillingness to back down.
The background is the Golden Wattle, the National Floral Emblem.
At the bottom is a scroll that contains the name of the Nation of Australia.
Go to next symbol: Australian National Anthem
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"The Legend of Bimi"
Introduction
There's a tale that begins in the sand hills
That I would like to tell,
Built from myth and many legends,
And my pen it does compel.
The desert's a hot, a hostile place,
Nothing's changed since time began,
There's a hazy unreality there
As if it, in the dreamtime was planned.
The noon of the day is so hot and still,
And over all an expectant hush,
Like a canvas that's waiting impatiently
For the touch of the artists brush.
The fire of the day can change swifly
To the night of startlingly cold,
Many legends are told of the people
Who live in this land so old.
To continue to read the introduction to this wonderful piece of poetry our Mother wrote called
"The Legend of Bimi" just go to our
Epic Poetry page
We know you will love it!