Flag of New South Wales

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Flag of New South Wales

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The current state flag of [[New South Wales]] was officially adopted in 1876. The flag is a [[Defacement (flag)|defaced]] British [[Blue Ensign]] with the state badge located in the [[Flag terminology#Description of standard flag parts and terms|fly]]. The badge, based on the [[Coat of arms of New South Wales|coat of arms]], is a white disc with the [[Saint George's Cross|cross of St George]], a golden lion passant guardant in the centre of the cross and an eight-pointed gold star on each arm of the cross.[[File:Badge of New South Wales.svg|thumb|[[Coat of arms of New South Wales|Badge of New South Wales]]]]
The current state flag of [[New South Wales]] was officially adopted in 1876. The flag is a [[Defacement (flag)|defaced]] British [[Blue Ensign]] with the state badge located in the [[Flag terminology#Description of standard flag parts and terms|fly]]. The badge, based on the [[Coat of arms of New South Wales|coat of arms]], is a white disc with the [[Saint George's Cross|cross of St George]], a golden lion passant guardant in the centre of the cross and an eight-pointed gold star on each arm of the cross.[[File:Badge of New South Wales.svg|thumb|[[Coat of arms of New South Wales|Badge of New South Wales]]]]
== Symbolism ==
== Symbolism ==
As a variant of the [[Blue Ensign]], the [[Union Jack]] is displayed in the canton. The [[Saint George's Cross|St George's Cross]], the [[Southern Cross]] and the 'Lion in the South' are displayed in the [[Coat of arms of New South Wales|Badge of New South Wales]] on the flag. The St George's Cross is used on the ensign of the British [[British Naval ensigns|Royal Navy]], with a golden, 8-pointed star placed on each arm of the cross. This symbolises the maritime origins of New South Wales, with seafarers relying upon the Southern Cross to navigate the seas, and the role of the navy in protecting the State.[[William Gullick|Gullick]], William Applegate, ''The New South Wales Coat of Arms'', with notes on the earlier seals, Government Printer, Sydney 1907
As a variant of the Blue Ensign, the [[Union Jack]] is displayed in the canton. The [[Saint George's Cross|St George's Cross]], the [[Southern Cross]] and the 'Lion in the South' are displayed in the [[Coat of arms of New South Wales|Badge of New South Wales]] on the flag. The St George's Cross is used on the ensign of the [[British Naval ensigns|Royal Navy]], and a golden, 8-pointed star is placed on each arm of the cross. This symbolises the maritime origins of New South Wales, with seafarers relying upon the Southern Cross to navigate the seas, and the role of the navy in protecting the state.[[William Gullick|Gullick]], William Applegate, ''The New South Wales Coat of Arms'', with notes on the earlier seals, Government Printer, Sydney 1907


The 'Lion in the South' is taken from the three golden lions on a red field on the [[Coat of arms of England|arms of England]], and symbolises both the sovereignty of New South Wales and the offspring of an old country. It represent the origins of the founders of the [[Colony of New South Wales|Colony]] of New South Wales as well as the independence of their succeeding generations.>[[William Gullick|Gullick]], William Applegate, ''The New South Wales Coat of Arms'', with notes on the earlier seals, Government Printer, Sydney 1907</ref>
The 'Lion in the South' is taken from the three golden lions on a red field on the [[Coat of arms of England|arms of England]], and symbolises both the sovereignty of New South Wales and the offspring of an old country. It represent the origins of the founders of the [[Colony of New South Wales|Colony]] of New South Wales as well as the independence of their succeeding generations.


== History ==
== History ==
The first flag of New South Wales was adopted in 1867. It too was a defaced British Blue Ensign with the letters "NSW" in white located in the fly.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} The flag was a response to the passing of the British [[Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865]] which allowed any British colony its own warships and variant of the [[Blue Ensign]].
The first flag of New South Wales was adopted in 1867. It too was a defaced Blue Ensign, with the letters "NSW" in white located in the fly.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} The flag was a response to the passing of the [[Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865]] which allowed any British colony its own warships and variant of the [[Blue Ensign]].


New South Wales then adopted a second flag in 1870 and it was almost identical to that of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] (with gold stars; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 points). This flag was also a defaced British Blue Ensign with the "Governor's Badge" located in the fly. The badge was the [[Crux|Southern Cross]] and an imperial crown situated above the Southern Cross. The difference between this flag and that of the [[Flag of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian flag]] was that the stars were gold and ranged from five to nine points with each star having one point pointing to the bottom of the flag.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
New South Wales then adopted a second flag in 1870, almost identical to that of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] (with gold stars; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 points). This flag was also a defaced Blue Ensign with the "Governor's Badge" located in the fly. The badge was the [[Crux|Southern Cross]] and an imperial crown situated above. The difference between this flag and the [[Flag of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian flag]] was that the stars were gold and ranged from five to nine points, with each star having one tip pointing to the bottom of the flag.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}


The present flag was adopted due to criticisms from the [[British Admiralty]] that the previous design was too similar to the design of the [[Flag of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian flag]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
The present flag was adopted due to criticisms from the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] that the previous design was too similar to the design of the [[Flag of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian flag]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}


The state badge was designed by the Colonial Architect [[James Barnet]] and Captain [[Francis Hixson]], a retired Royal Navy officer.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/about_the_department/our_structure/state_protocol/flags_and_emblems |title=New South Wales Flag |access-date=10 August 2008 |year=2007 |author=New South Wales Government |work=Flags and Emblems |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720180909/http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/about_the_department/our_structure/state_protocol/flags_and_emblems |archive-date=20 July 2008 }}
The state badge was designed by the Colonial Architect [[James Barnet]] and Captain [[Francis Hixson]], a retired Royal Navy officer.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/about_the_department/our_structure/state_protocol/flags_and_emblems |title=New South Wales Flag |access-date=10 August 2008 |year=2007 |author=New South Wales Government |work=Flags and Emblems |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720180909/http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/about_the_department/our_structure/state_protocol/flags_and_emblems |archive-date=20 July 2008 }}
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Advocates of the redesign included former premiers, political leaders from both the Liberal and Labor parties, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, and notable sports figures. Supporters argued that a new flag would better reflect the state's evolving cultural and social identity, particularly as Sydney prepared to host the Olympics—a global showcase of the state's heritage.{{Cite news |date=23 November 1966 |title=Flagging |url=https://bc.id.au/flags/nsw-i.html |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=18 November 2024 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |pages=44}}
Advocates of the redesign included former premiers, political leaders from both the Liberal and Labor parties, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, and notable sports figures. Supporters argued that a new flag would better reflect the state's evolving cultural and social identity, particularly as Sydney prepared to host the Olympics—a global showcase of the state's heritage.{{Cite news |date=23 November 1966 |title=Flagging |url=https://bc.id.au/flags/nsw-i.html |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=18 November 2024 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |pages=44}}


However, the proposals also faced criticism. Traditionalists expressed concern that altering the flag might undermine historical continuity, while others feared it signaled an imminent move towards republicanism. A 1996 ''Herald AGB-McNair'' poll revealed that only 12% of New South Wales residents could accurately describe the existing flag, highlighting a potential lack of public attachment to its symbols.
However, the proposals also faced criticism. Traditionalists expressed concern that altering the flag would undermine historical continuity, while others feared it signalled an imminent move towards republicanism. A 1996 ''Herald AGB-McNair'' poll revealed that only 12% of New South Wales residents could accurately describe the existing flag, highlighting a potential lack of public attachment to its symbols.


In response to the debate, proponents suggested introducing legislation to authorize a public referendum on the flag redesign, potentially aligning the vote with the 1999 state election. This timeline would allow for extensive public discussion before a new flag could be adopted ahead of the 2000 Olympics. Despite the momentum, the proposal ultimately did not progress beyond the discussion phase.
In response to the debate, proponents suggested introducing legislation to authorize a public referendum on the flag redesign, potentially aligning the vote with the 1999 state election. This timeline would allow for extensive public discussion before a new flag could be adopted ahead of the 2000 Olympics. Despite the momentum, the proposal ultimately did not progress beyond the discussion phase.
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