Flag of Queensland

The state flag of Queensland is a British Blue Ensign with the state badge on a white disc added in the fly. The badge is a light blue Maltese Cross with an imperial crown in the centre of the cross. The flag dates from 1876, with minor variations, and the badge was designed by William Hemmant, the Colonial Secretary and Treasurer of Queensland in 1876.

Queensland
UseCivil and state flag
Proportion1:2
Adopted1876
DesignA British Blue Ensign defaced with the state badge on a white disc in the fly
Previous flag of Queensland
UseOther
Proportion1:2
Adopted1870 - 1876
Previous variant of the flag of Queensland
UseOther
Proportion1:2
Adopted1876 - 1952
Standard of the Governor of Queensland
UseCivil and state flag
Proportion1:2
Adopted1952
DesignA Union Flag defaced with the state badge of Queensland surrounded by garland of laurel leaves

Separation flag, 1859

On 10 December 1859, "a light blue flag with a red St George's Cross and union in the corner" (now known as the Queensland Separation Flag) was flown in Brisbane at eight o'clock in the morning, to mark Queensland's separation from New South Wales.[1]

  • Queensland Separation Flag, 1859

1870 flag

The State Flag was first created in 1870 with the Union Jack upon the royal blue background; however, the badge was not the current one. In its place was a profile of Queen Victoria on a blue disc surrounded by a white annulus on which the word "Queensland" was inscribed in gold.[2]

  • Flag of Queensland, 1870-1876
  • Flag of the Governor of Queensland, 1870-1876

1876 flag

The next alteration occurred in 1876 as there were many complaints that the reproduction of Victoria's head was too difficult and a replacement was called for. Many complaints by State Officials were made, including the example below found in the Queensland State Archives.[3]

The Treasury, Queensland

Brisbane, 15 March 1876,

Referring to the Circular Despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 23 August last, upon the subject of distinctive badges proposed for the Flags of several Colonies, I have the honour to advise Your Excellency that the difficulty of producing upon bunting a fair representation of the head or bust of Her Majesty has proved so great, and the effect, when produced, so unsatisfactory, as to render it necessary to abandon the idea of using that device for the Queensland Ensign, and I beg therefore to recommend that the accompanying design, within a wreath of laurel, be adopted for the Flags of the Colony in lieu of that formerly advised.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,
(signed) N Hemmant

His Excellency
WW Cairns, Esq, CMG

Brisbane

The Maltese Cross impaled with the Crown was chosen out of four proposed designs to replace Victoria's head.

  • The current state badge
  • First example of a proposed badge for the flag of Queensland
  • Second example of a proposed badge for the flag of Queensland
  • Third example of a proposed badge for the flag of Queensland

1901–1952 flag

The final official alteration occurred in 1901 with the death of Queen Victoria. The change was in relation to the crown impaled upon the Maltese Cross; as Victoria and Edward VII had chosen different coronation crowns, the crowns upon the Badge also had to change.[4] However over the years the monarchs of Australia have chosen differing coronation crowns and therefore, the crowns have unofficially kept up with each change.

  • Flag of Queensland 1901-1952
  • Standard of the Governor of Queensland 1901-1952

See also

References
  1. Moreton Bay Courier 05 November 1859
  2. Ausflag (1995) 'Queensland', http://www.ausflag.com.au/flags/qld.html Archived 22 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine, [9 March 2004]
  3. Queensland State Archives (1876) 'Flag, Badge, Arms and Seal of Queensland', SRS 1043-2-265-84
  4. Know Britain (2003) 'The History and Meaning of the Union Jack', http://www.know-britain.com/general/union_jack.html, [9 March 2004]
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