Australian Symbols
Australian Symbols are chosen to represent National pride, Australian values, our unique Australian identity and our love of this amazing land we live in. They reflect the different aspects of our Australian culture, Australian history and life in Australia.
The Australian Flag is our number one National symbol. It was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition that was held following Australian Federation.
The Australian Coat of Arms is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. The first Australian Coat of Arms was granted by King Edward VII in 1908 following federation.
The Australian National Anthem is Advance Australia Fair and was officially proclaimed in 1984, it expresses our happiness and pride in being Australian.
The Australian Colours of green and gold were formally recognised in 1984 but were popular and loved by Australians long before then.
The Australian Gemstones is the opal, proclaimed in 1993. Opal is a symbol of the arid interior of Australia and is known to Indigenous Australians as the fire of the desert.
The Golden Wattle is the Australian Floral Emblem; it was formally proclaimed in 1988 although it has been the informal Floral Emblem for many years.
These are the Formal Symbols of Australia, of course there are many other symbols that represent our nation; some are well known and others may not be so well known but what they are and what they mean to individual people is different for everyone.
For me personally, even though I am not an Indigenous Australian, the Aboriginal Flag always gives me a warm feeling and reminds me of the very first Aussies, the great Australian outback and my love of this big beautiful country.
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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!