Our National Flag

Further questions and activities related to the Our National Flag … since 1901 poems in Activity 6 appear in the Teacher Guide that accompanies each set of Extension activities sporting identities), the program, involvement of other Australian Readers. school members, and so on. Divide the class into work TEACHERS’ NOTES ✷ groups, each with a responsibility to plan a section of the Activity 8 Researching the history of the ceremony. Groups could include: publicity, programs and Australian flag invitations, staging and decorations, class liaison and ▼ This activity requires use of the video, and the additional ceremony coordinators. About the video resources and websites listed on page 2. ▼ For a guide to how to conduct a flag ceremony at your Activity 7 ✷ Other Australian flags What goes into making a national ▼ Australia has had a number of different flags suggested as school using the correct protocols, refer to flag? Cloth, a design and the ▼ While the national flag is the symbol of the nation, Australia federal or Australian flags over time. Write the following flag http://www.australianflag.org.au. The official proclamation of maker’s labour? Yes, but these do has a number of other flags that represent groups within our names and dates on separate sticky labels, so that there is at Australian National Flag Day can be downloaded from not make a flag meaningful. Our nation. Divide the class into groups and ask each group to least one flag per student or pair of students. (If you require http://www.australianflag.org.au/flagday.asp National Flag . . . since 1901 is an investigate one of the following flags: Aboriginal flag, Torres more than one set of stickers, copy each set onto different engaging video that explores the Strait Islander flag, and the flags of the States and Territories. coloured labels.) Arrange the labels at random on the board. Activity 11 ✷ A flag for the school community origins and values that have gone (Pictures of the State and Territory flags appear on Card 1a in Names: the ‘Herald’ Federal flag, the Aboriginal flag, the Eureka into the making of the Australian ▼ the Discovering Democracy Primary Kit.) For each flag, flag, the National Colonial flag, the Federal flag, the Torres Strait Students design a flag for the school that incorporates the national flag. The video and groups should provide a poster showing the flag, describing Islander flag, the Australasian Anti-Transportation flag, the values of the school and its community. Use the school teachers’ notes aim to foster its history and the symbols it uses, and explaining where and Union Jack motto, school crest and school song as sources of existing primary students’ understanding for whom it is designed. Dates: 1972, 1854, 1831, 1992, 1849, 1788, 1900 and 1901 symbols and values. of the national flag and the mean- ▼ ▼ Visit the following site to find information about your State ▼ Invite students or pairs of students to select a flag name to Involve students in a range of activities: group discussion of ings represented by the symbols it or Territory’s flag, crests, and floral and fauna emblems: research using the resources and websites listed on page 2. key values or ideals for the school, creating the design, contains. The resource can be http://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au/srch_browse.php3 The aim is to identify the flag design for the chosen name working out the proportions and maths of the design, doing used to support civics education ▼ Display completed posters in the classroom. As a class, and the year in which it was first used (or proposed for use) the art work, constructing the prototype, and establishing in SOSE/HSIE, and has applica- develop a concept map that describes the similarities and in Australia. where, when and how the flag could be used. tion to literacy, art and maths key learning areas. differences between the flags. ▼ Students could then display the flag design and create a ▼ As an extension activity, students could also investigate thumbnail history (a few sentences) about each flag to share Recommended level: Middle flags from other countries and compare the symbols and with the class. and upper primary ▼ Once all the flags, designs, names and dates have been ideals they represent to the Australian flag. Steven Siewert / The Sydney Morning Herald Assessing student outcomes Duration: 22 minutes matched, invite students to arrange themselves in a line (or AUSPIC lines) according to the chronological order of the event. (For • Repeat the flag foldout activity as a summative the two 1901 dates, students will need to consider the assessment task. Once complete, distribute the ✷ student sheets collected earlier and ask students The video at a glance month in which the competitions were run.) Activity 9 What does the Australian flag to compare their responses now to those they ▼ As an extension activity, students could create a timeline that mean to me? completed earlier. Encourage students to explain Section Key ideas Some questions for discussion during or after the video illustrates the progress towards a national Australian flag. ▼ Students can choose to create responses about the how and why their responses may have changed. (time marker min:sec) Australian flag, its history and meaning, and their personal • The student will be assessed on how he or she: feelings about it. Encourage students to suggest a format – described the flag as a symbol of Australian Flags as symbols ● Introduction: focus questions What questions does the video explore? that most appeals to them. Some possible responses are: identity (00:00 to 03:00) ● Use in modern and ancient times Why is it important to have a flag at an event like the –Prepare a spoken presentation to an overseas visitor. –explained the elements of the design ● The Olympic flag Olympic Games? What practical purposes have flags been used for? –Create an information brochure for new citizens. – briefly described how the flag design came –Write a short story or poem that expresses their into being National Flag Day ● Why this day? Why was an annual flag day proclaimed? relationship to the flag. –articulated the values he or she attributes to (03:00 to 04:00) ● Purpose of the celebration Why do you think it is important that we celebrate our flag? – Develop a PowerPoint™ presentation or personal website. the flag. History of the ● Federation and the 1901 Why did Federation create the need for a new flag? –Perform a role-play presenting the flag from the national flag flag competition Why was the Union Jack Australia’s official flag at the time perspective of one of the designers. (04:40 to 07:15) ● Competition winners of Federation? This Australian National Flag Association video has been made available to all Elements of the ● Southern Cross What symbols are on our flag? What is their role? primary schools by the Commonwealth Government. The teachers’ notes have been flag design ● Commonwealth or Why is the Southern Cross included? Activity 10 ✷ Planning for National Flag Day developed and funded by the Discovering Democracy Schools Materials Project as (07:15 to 11:56) Federation Star Why is the largest star called the Federation Star? Why did part of the Discovering Democracy civics and citizenship education programme. ● Union Jack the star change? ▼ Review the section of the video (03:00 to 04:40) that shows Why is the Union Jack included on our flag? citizens celebrating the first official National Flag Day. Indigenous flags ● Aboriginal flag Why is it important for Indigenous peoples to have their ▼ Discuss how people celebrate civic occasions, highlighting (11:56 to 13:05) ● Torres Strait Islander flag own flags? What do these flags symbolise? the activities in those celebrations – for example, marches, Role of the ● Symbols of democratic tradition What are the key ideas that the flag reminds us of? The stars of the Southern Cross were used by the diggers in unveiling ceremonies and music. Working in groups, each national flag ● Citizenship ceremonies Where else do you see the flag? Living Together, Working Together by Frank Jakamarra Nelson their flag at the Eureka Rebellion in 1854. group selects one key event (for example, Anzac Day, (13:06 to 15:40) ● National identity, values Why is it important that the flag be seen at civic events? WA1-0246 Frank (Bronson) Jakamarra, Living Together, Working Together. Charles Alphonse Doudiet, Swearing Allegiance to the Southern Cross 1854. Australia Day, a citizenship ceremony). Each group creates a and the flag Why do people honour the flag? Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Museum and Art Gallery of the Watercolour, pen and ink on paper 16.7 × 23.2 cm. Collection: Ballarat Fine Published by Curriculum Corporation © Commonwealth of Australia, 2002 profile of the event by completing the following: When and National ideals and ● Ivor Evans describes national What ideals did Ivor Evans associate with the flag? Northern Territory. Art Gallery. where does the ceremony occur? Who is involved? What do the flag virtues What values are symbolised in Anzac Day? How is the flag they do? What values is the ceremony celebrating? How are (15:40 to 18:17) ● Commemoration on used on Anzac Day? these values shared with the audience? Anzac Day How do the other scenes in this section show the ideals ● Flags in celebrations represented in the flag? ▼ Introduce the idea of planning a school-based celebration The websites listed on page 2 provide Further information and activities on the flag and its current place for National Flag Day on 3 September. Brainstorm possible Centenary of the ● Celebrations on 3 September 2001 Do you believe the flag is an important symbol? Why? national flag Why celebrate National Flag Day on 3 September background or links to information on in Australian culture are available on page 52 of the Discovering ideas for the ceremony, including the location of the event, (18:17 to 21:38) each year? flags from Australia and overseas. Democracy Middle Primary Units, ‘We Remember’. special guests (such as members from the local RSL or 5 6 1 Indicators of student Websites Introducing the video Students should write their names on the reverse side of Activity 5 ✷ Who needs a flag anyway? invite pairs or groups to come up with the five ideals that ✷ The Prime Minister’s website the sheet. they believe best represent Australians today. achievement ▼ The video explains how Federation inspired the flag design http://www.pm.gov.au/aust_focus/nat_symbols ✷ 1 Draw the Australian flag. ▼ Invite students to recall the images used in the video to convey ✷ Activity 1 Flags today competition and the acceptance of the flag. However, not all The student can: Australian flags 2 Label the parts you recognise and describe what they Ivor’s key values, such as the footage on Anzac Day cere- ✷ describe and explain the symbols on the ▼ Discuss the use of flags today and compile a table listing the the colonies were keen to accept a new national flag for the http://www.csu.edu.au/australia/flag.html mean. monies. Re-watch the section on Anzac day (16:30 to 17:30). Australian national flag ✷ different flags students have seen (for example, column 1 of proposed Federation. Each colony had its own flag and all Anzac Day Commemoration site 3 Describe when and where you see flags used in the Ask students to make notes on what they see and hear. Have ✷ briefly describe the history of the national flag the table below). Invite students to describe where and when shared the Union Jack as the official flag (Australia was a http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/tff/ community. them compare their notes and discuss the symbols in the ✷ explain some values attached to the national they have seen the flags, and how they are used (see British colony). Using a PMI chart (Plus, Minus, Interesting), flag.html 4 What does the flag mean to you? images they have seen. Replay the section again and point out flag. ✷ National, State and Territory library websites columns 2 and 3). list possible arguments for and against a new flag design for ▼ Collect student responses and reserve them for later use. (use slow motion replay) the scene where the last of the Links to State and Territory curriculum can be (online picture catalogues) the new Federation. You may wish students to use the One Flag Used at To represent Audience Gallipoli Anzacs Mr Alec Campbell, who died in 2002, hands found on the Discovering Democracy website ✷ Discovering Democracy website Destiny! Centenary Edition CD-ROM interactive ‘A Flag for a the flag to a young cadet (16:57 to 17:01). Ask the students http://www.curriculum.edu.au/democracy http://www.curriculum.edu.au/democracy Olympic flag Olympic Games Five continents, International New Nation’ to expand on these issues. Following the video how this extra information changes the meaning of what is ✷ Parliament@Work athletes and their ▼ As an extension, invite students to pose as people in the happening in this scene of the video. Discuss the symbolism http://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au countries ✷ 1890s who are for or against the adoption of a national flag. Additional resource list ✷ Activity 4 Talking about the video of Mr Campbell handing over the flag to the young cadet. Australian National Flag Association ‘Boxing Sporting events Australia’s National and These students present their arguments to the class, who The following Discovering Democracy resources ▼ Use the discussion questions listed in the table ‘The video at ▼ Discuss how the other images of the video (for example, http://www.australianflag.org.au kangaroo’ sporting spirit international vote for and against the flag. (One student could act as provide further student and teacher resources. All ✷ a glance’ to explore the initial viewing of the video. You volunteer firefighters fighting bushfires) suggest the values Australian National Flag Association – Anzac (commercial, designer Ivor Evans.) primary schools in Australia have received free tradition http://www.australianflag.org.au/ unofficial flag) might wish to replay the video and pause after each section represented by the flag and ask students to come up with copies of these resources, so please check your anzactradition.asp to discuss the questions. additional images that could also be used to represent the Lifesaver Beaches Where it is safe Community If students need additional background on Federation, a resource centre collection. ▼ Discuss the images used in the video and their associated short narrative on the topic appears in Australians All! values of the flag. Note that all the Discovering Democracy Units safety flag to swim ▼ meaning. For example, at the section about the Australian Readers – Lower Primary. The unit ‘The Focus students’ attention on the music that backs this and are available online at State/Territory On buildings The State/Territory State/Territory Commonwealth Star (07:50 to 09:30), ask students to have People Make a Nation’ in Discovering Democracy Upper other sections of the video. Talk about how music is also http://www.curriculum.edu.au/democracy/ddunits Key words flag and its people another look at the pictures that the video producers have Primary Units provides a more detailed study. used as a symbol. Invite groups of students to brainstorm a ✷ Discovering Democracy Primary Kit The following terms are used in the video, and may Red Cross On hospitals and Health and rescue International chosen to symbolise their State or Territory. Have the list of songs that might best represent Australia to its – Middle Primary Units, ‘We Remember’ pages be new to students: flag ambulances services students discuss whether these images best ‘represent’ their ✷ citizens. (The lyrics to ‘Advance Australia Fair’ are included 67–82 (introduces the concept of civic State or Territory. What other pictures would they suggest Activity 6 The symbols in Australians All! Australian Readers – Lower Primary.) celebration, citizens, colony,Commonwealth, UN flag On buildings and Members of the International symbols including the national flag). This unit could be used? This activity can be used to explore the idea ▼ Locate and display your school’s Australian national flag. is available online at http://www.curriculum. democracy,diversity,emblem, ensign, federal vehicles United Nations of ‘representation’. (Contact your local federal Member of Parliament to source a edu.au/democracy/ddunits/units/ Territories, Federation, flag, heritage, honour,ideals, ▼ Have the students list the songs and images that they liked. national flag, and your local State or Territory Member to mp3remember-glance.htm identity,Indigenous peoples, national, Parliament, ▼ Discuss the idea that different flags are designed to have Ask them to offer their own questions about the images, source your State or Territory flag.) Invite students to collab- – Cards of national, State and Territory flags remembrance, represent, symbol, traditions, Union meaning for particular groups and situations. Focus on the oratively develop a description of each of the symbols. (two copies of each) Jack,values (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude) concept of a flag being a symbol, carrying a particular stories, people and information in the video. meaning or representing a particular idea or group. Invite The symbols – Stories of Democracy CD-ROM ‘Middle • The Southern Cross represents our geographical position in the Primary Interactive’ (includes a narrative on students to nominate the particular audience for each flag Southern Hemisphere; it also represents our bright aims for the symbols and a brief history of the Australian Background notes (see column 4). future. flag) ▼ Ask students to consider why a flag is used for this purpose, • The Commonwealth or Federation Star represents the federation of From colonial times Australia has had a rich tradition – Parliament at Work CD-ROM ‘We Remember all lands and people in the nation. The points on the star represent of flag making. But when the six colonies federated and what advantages a flag has over other symbols of groups Symbols Tour’ (describes details of the the six States, with a seventh point representing the federal in 1901, the newest nation of the British Empire did (such as songs, forms of dress). Focus discussion on the Australian flag that flies over Parliament Territories. The star as a whole represents Australia’s bright aims not have its own flag. In April 1901, the first Australian flag and the different contexts in which it is used – for the future. House in Canberra) Commonwealth government held a national flag associated events, buildings and merchandising. • The Union Jack is a composite of the crosses of St George ✷ Australian Readers – Middle Primary Collection, design competition that attracted over 32 000 entries (England), St Andrew (Scotland) and St Patrick (Ireland), the ‘Lest We Forget’ page 34 (a picture of the Eureka from men, women and children. Five almost identi- For further exploration of civic symbols, see ‘We three major groups of colonists in the nineteenth century. flag) cal entries presented the winning design and they Remember’ in the Discovering Democracy Middle ✷ Australian Readers – Upper Primary Collection, Did you know that the Union Jack has changed since shared the prize money. On 3 September 1901, the Primary Units. ‘True Patriots’ pages 26–30 (poems, citizenship new Australian flag flew for the first time from the 1788? Look at the section of the video (11:36 to 11:50) pledge and information on flags) top of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. Activity 2 ✷ Words we use with flags showing the flag being raised at Sydney Cove in 1788. ✷ Australians All! Australian Readers – Lower There were two versions of the flag: red for The Union Jack is missing the cross of St Patrick. This Primary Collection, ‘Australia Becomes a Nation’ ▼ Prior to presenting the video, it may be useful to discuss some merchant ships (known as the Commonwealth red wasn’t added to the Union Jack until Ireland became page 27 (a losing entry in the 1901 flag of the key words listed on page 2. Alternatively, you may wish ensign) and blue for other use (known as the part of the United Kingdom in 1801. competition) to establish a classroom glossary or thesaurus in which Commonwealth blue ensign), which caused some ✷ One Destiny – Centenary Edition CD-ROM ‘Flag students list new words. Begin with words from the list and after confusion. The new flag came slowly into use: in for a New Nation’ interactive (includes a playing the video, review the list and invite students to draw on ▼ Read the two poems about the flag that appear on page 28 of 1908 it was used to represent Australian athletes at narrative on the history of the flag, source their contextual understandings of the words to establish the Australian Readers – Upper Primary Collection, ‘Our Own the London Olympics, and by 1911 it was also used material and an interactive game using some of meanings. Use dictionaries to confirm students’ definitions. as the saluting flag for the Army. As a member Flag’ by Banjo Patterson and ‘Flag’ by Stephen Herrick. the symbols suggested in the 1901 flag nation of the British Empire, Australia retained the These poems were written approximately 100 years apart. competition) Union Jack as the flag for use on official occasions. Assessing prior knowledge Discuss the writers’ views of the flag and what it means to It was not until 1953 that the Flags Act established them. Invite students to suggest words that describe each Other references the Commonwealth blue ensign as the Australian ✷ poet’s feelings about the flag. ✷ Australian flags 1998, Awards and National national flag. Since then, there have been other flags Activity 3 Flag foldout ▼ Revisit the section of the video (15:40 to 18:17) that Symbols Branch, Department of Prime Minister proclaimed for use in Australia including the ▼ Assess students’ prior knowledge on the flag by asking each discusses the way national ideals have been incorporated and Cabinet, AusInfo. Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag, and student to complete a flag foldout. Explain that their into the flag. Ivor suggested that the stars of the Southern ✷ Barwick, John and Jennifer 2000, Australian flags for each State and Territory. In 1998, legislation responses will be sealed and saved until after they have Cross illustrated the four moral virtues that underpinned Australia: justice (fairness), prudence (good judgement), flags and emblems, Heinemann Library, Port was passed in Federal Parliament that prohibits viewed the video, when they will repeat the task and compare The flag honours Alec Campbell, the last Anzac, at his funeral Melbourne. change to the national flag except by a referendum. how their ideas and understandings have changed. temperance (self-control) and fortitude (courage against the in May 2002. ▼ Ask students to fold a piece of paper into quarters. Write the A girl in Federation costume. She holds the ‘Herald’ Federal Flag odds). Discuss the examples that the video uses to support NewsPix/Craig Borrow following directions on an OHT or on chart paper, and have Competition winning design. these ideals. What virtues best represent Australia today? [Inset] Alec Campbell as a 16-year-old boy soldier in 1915. students write their reponses in the matching quadrant. Coo-ee Picture Library Draw all five stars of the Southern Cross on a board and Newspix

2 3 4 Indicators of student Websites Introducing the video Students should write their names on the reverse side of Activity 5 ✷ Who needs a flag anyway? invite pairs or groups to come up with the five ideals that ✷ The Prime Minister’s website the sheet. they believe best represent Australians today. achievement ▼ The video explains how Federation inspired the flag design http://www.pm.gov.au/aust_focus/nat_symbols ✷ 1 Draw the Australian flag. ▼ Invite students to recall the images used in the video to convey ✷ Activity 1 Flags today competition and the acceptance of the flag. However, not all The student can: Australian flags 2 Label the parts you recognise and describe what they Ivor’s key values, such as the footage on Anzac Day cere- ✷ describe and explain the symbols on the ▼ Discuss the use of flags today and compile a table listing the the colonies were keen to accept a new national flag for the http://www.csu.edu.au/australia/flag.html mean. monies. Re-watch the section on Anzac day (16:30 to 17:30). Australian national flag ✷ different flags students have seen (for example, column 1 of proposed Federation. Each colony had its own flag and all Anzac Day Commemoration site 3 Describe when and where you see flags used in the Ask students to make notes on what they see and hear. Have ✷ briefly describe the history of the national flag the table below). Invite students to describe where and when shared the Union Jack as the official flag (Australia was a http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/tff/ community. them compare their notes and discuss the symbols in the ✷ explain some values attached to the national they have seen the flags, and how they are used (see British colony). Using a PMI chart (Plus, Minus, Interesting), flag.html 4 What does the flag mean to you? images they have seen. Replay the section again and point out flag. ✷ National, State and Territory library websites columns 2 and 3). list possible arguments for and against a new flag design for ▼ Collect student responses and reserve them for later use. (use slow motion replay) the scene where the last of the Links to State and Territory curriculum can be (online picture catalogues) the new Federation. You may wish students to use the One Flag Used at To represent Audience Gallipoli Anzacs Mr Alec Campbell, who died in 2002, hands found on the Discovering Democracy website ✷ Discovering Democracy website Destiny! Centenary Edition CD-ROM interactive ‘A Flag for a the flag to a young cadet (16:57 to 17:01). Ask the students http://www.curriculum.edu.au/democracy http://www.curriculum.edu.au/democracy Olympic flag Olympic Games Five continents, International New Nation’ to expand on these issues. Following the video how this extra information changes the meaning of what is ✷ Parliament@Work athletes and their ▼ As an extension, invite students to pose as people in the happening in this scene of the video. Discuss the symbolism http://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au countries ✷ 1890s who are for or against the adoption of a national flag. Additional resource list ✷ Activity 4 Talking about the video of Mr Campbell handing over the flag to the young cadet. Australian National Flag Association ‘Boxing Sporting events Australia’s National and These students present their arguments to the class, who The following Discovering Democracy resources ▼ Use the discussion questions listed in the table ‘The video at ▼ Discuss how the other images of the video (for example, http://www.australianflag.org.au kangaroo’ sporting spirit international vote for and against the flag. (One student could act as provide further student and teacher resources. All ✷ a glance’ to explore the initial viewing of the video. You volunteer firefighters fighting bushfires) suggest the values Australian National Flag Association – Anzac (commercial, designer Ivor Evans.) primary schools in Australia have received free tradition http://www.australianflag.org.au/ unofficial flag) might wish to replay the video and pause after each section represented by the flag and ask students to come up with copies of these resources, so please check your anzactradition.asp to discuss the questions. additional images that could also be used to represent the Lifesaver Beaches Where it is safe Community If students need additional background on Federation, a resource centre collection. ▼ Discuss the images used in the video and their associated short narrative on the topic appears in Australians All! values of the flag. Note that all the Discovering Democracy Units safety flag to swim ▼ meaning. For example, at the section about the Australian Readers – Lower Primary. The unit ‘The Focus students’ attention on the music that backs this and are available online at State/Territory On buildings The State/Territory State/Territory Commonwealth Star (07:50 to 09:30), ask students to have People Make a Nation’ in Discovering Democracy Upper other sections of the video. Talk about how music is also http://www.curriculum.edu.au/democracy/ddunits Key words flag and its people another look at the pictures that the video producers have Primary Units provides a more detailed study. used as a symbol. Invite groups of students to brainstorm a ✷ Discovering Democracy Primary Kit The following terms are used in the video, and may Red Cross On hospitals and Health and rescue International chosen to symbolise their State or Territory. Have the list of songs that might best represent Australia to its – Middle Primary Units, ‘We Remember’ pages be new to students: flag ambulances services students discuss whether these images best ‘represent’ their ✷ citizens. (The lyrics to ‘Advance Australia Fair’ are included 67–82 (introduces the concept of civic State or Territory. What other pictures would they suggest Activity 6 The symbols in Australians All! Australian Readers – Lower Primary.) celebration, citizens, colony,Commonwealth, UN flag On buildings and Members of the International symbols including the national flag). This unit could be used? This activity can be used to explore the idea ▼ Locate and display your school’s Australian national flag. is available online at http://www.curriculum. democracy,diversity,emblem, ensign, federal vehicles United Nations of ‘representation’. (Contact your local federal Member of Parliament to source a edu.au/democracy/ddunits/units/ Territories, Federation, flag, heritage, honour,ideals, ▼ Have the students list the songs and images that they liked. national flag, and your local State or Territory Member to mp3remember-glance.htm identity,Indigenous peoples, national, Parliament, ▼ Discuss the idea that different flags are designed to have Ask them to offer their own questions about the images, source your State or Territory flag.) Invite students to collab- – Cards of national, State and Territory flags remembrance, represent, symbol, traditions, Union meaning for particular groups and situations. Focus on the oratively develop a description of each of the symbols. (two copies of each) Jack,values (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude) concept of a flag being a symbol, carrying a particular stories, people and information in the video. meaning or representing a particular idea or group. Invite The symbols – Stories of Democracy CD-ROM ‘Middle • The Southern Cross represents our geographical position in the Primary Interactive’ (includes a narrative on students to nominate the particular audience for each flag Southern Hemisphere; it also represents our bright aims for the symbols and a brief history of the Australian Background notes (see column 4). future. flag) ▼ Ask students to consider why a flag is used for this purpose, • The Commonwealth or Federation Star represents the federation of From colonial times Australia has had a rich tradition – Parliament at Work CD-ROM ‘We Remember all lands and people in the nation. The points on the star represent of flag making. But when the six colonies federated and what advantages a flag has over other symbols of groups Symbols Tour’ (describes details of the the six States, with a seventh point representing the federal in 1901, the newest nation of the British Empire did (such as songs, forms of dress). Focus discussion on the Australian flag that flies over Parliament Territories. The star as a whole represents Australia’s bright aims not have its own flag. In April 1901, the first Australian flag and the different contexts in which it is used – for the future. House in Canberra) Commonwealth government held a national flag associated events, buildings and merchandising. • The Union Jack is a composite of the crosses of St George ✷ Australian Readers – Middle Primary Collection, design competition that attracted over 32 000 entries (England), St Andrew (Scotland) and St Patrick (Ireland), the ‘Lest We Forget’ page 34 (a picture of the Eureka from men, women and children. Five almost identi- For further exploration of civic symbols, see ‘We three major groups of colonists in the nineteenth century. flag) cal entries presented the winning design and they Remember’ in the Discovering Democracy Middle ✷ Australian Readers – Upper Primary Collection, Did you know that the Union Jack has changed since shared the prize money. On 3 September 1901, the Primary Units. ‘True Patriots’ pages 26–30 (poems, citizenship new Australian flag flew for the first time from the 1788? Look at the section of the video (11:36 to 11:50) pledge and information on flags) top of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. Activity 2 ✷ Words we use with flags showing the flag being raised at Sydney Cove in 1788. ✷ Australians All! Australian Readers – Lower There were two versions of the flag: red for The Union Jack is missing the cross of St Patrick. This Primary Collection, ‘Australia Becomes a Nation’ ▼ Prior to presenting the video, it may be useful to discuss some merchant ships (known as the Commonwealth red wasn’t added to the Union Jack until Ireland became page 27 (a losing entry in the 1901 flag of the key words listed on page 2. Alternatively, you may wish ensign) and blue for other use (known as the part of the United Kingdom in 1801. competition) to establish a classroom glossary or thesaurus in which Commonwealth blue ensign), which caused some ✷ One Destiny – Centenary Edition CD-ROM ‘Flag students list new words. Begin with words from the list and after confusion. The new flag came slowly into use: in for a New Nation’ interactive (includes a playing the video, review the list and invite students to draw on ▼ Read the two poems about the flag that appear on page 28 of 1908 it was used to represent Australian athletes at narrative on the history of the flag, source their contextual understandings of the words to establish the Australian Readers – Upper Primary Collection, ‘Our Own the London Olympics, and by 1911 it was also used material and an interactive game using some of meanings. Use dictionaries to confirm students’ definitions. as the saluting flag for the Army. As a member Flag’ by Banjo Patterson and ‘Flag’ by Stephen Herrick. the symbols suggested in the 1901 flag nation of the British Empire, Australia retained the These poems were written approximately 100 years apart. competition) Union Jack as the flag for use on official occasions. Assessing prior knowledge Discuss the writers’ views of the flag and what it means to It was not until 1953 that the Flags Act established them. Invite students to suggest words that describe each Other references the Commonwealth blue ensign as the Australian ✷ poet’s feelings about the flag. ✷ Australian flags 1998, Awards and National national flag. Since then, there have been other flags Activity 3 Flag foldout ▼ Revisit the section of the video (15:40 to 18:17) that Symbols Branch, Department of Prime Minister proclaimed for use in Australia including the ▼ Assess students’ prior knowledge on the flag by asking each discusses the way national ideals have been incorporated and Cabinet, AusInfo. Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag, and student to complete a flag foldout. Explain that their into the flag. Ivor suggested that the stars of the Southern ✷ Barwick, John and Jennifer 2000, Australian flags for each State and Territory. In 1998, legislation responses will be sealed and saved until after they have Cross illustrated the four moral virtues that underpinned Australia: justice (fairness), prudence (good judgement), flags and emblems, Heinemann Library, Port was passed in Federal Parliament that prohibits viewed the video, when they will repeat the task and compare The flag honours Alec Campbell, the last Anzac, at his funeral Melbourne. change to the national flag except by a referendum. how their ideas and understandings have changed. temperance (self-control) and fortitude (courage against the in May 2002. ▼ Ask students to fold a piece of paper into quarters. Write the A girl in Federation costume. She holds the ‘Herald’ Federal Flag odds). Discuss the examples that the video uses to support NewsPix/Craig Borrow following directions on an OHT or on chart paper, and have Competition winning design. these ideals. What virtues best represent Australia today? [Inset] Alec Campbell as a 16-year-old boy soldier in 1915. students write their reponses in the matching quadrant. Coo-ee Picture Library Draw all five stars of the Southern Cross on a board and Newspix

2 3 4 Further questions and activities related to the Our National Flag … since 1901 poems in Activity 6 appear in the Teacher Guide that accompanies each set of Extension activities sporting identities), the program, involvement of other Australian Readers. school members, and so on. Divide the class into work TEACHERS’ NOTES ✷ groups, each with a responsibility to plan a section of the Activity 8 Researching the history of the ceremony. Groups could include: publicity, programs and Australian flag invitations, staging and decorations, class liaison and ▼ This activity requires use of the video, and the additional ceremony coordinators. About the video resources and websites listed on page 2. ▼ For a guide to how to conduct a flag ceremony at your Activity 7 ✷ Other Australian flags What goes into making a national ▼ Australia has had a number of different flags suggested as school using the correct protocols, refer to flag? Cloth, a design and the ▼ While the national flag is the symbol of the nation, Australia federal or Australian flags over time. Write the following flag http://www.australianflag.org.au. The official proclamation of maker’s labour? Yes, but these do has a number of other flags that represent groups within our names and dates on separate sticky labels, so that there is at Australian National Flag Day can be downloaded from not make a flag meaningful. Our nation. Divide the class into groups and ask each group to least one flag per student or pair of students. (If you require http://www.australianflag.org.au/flagday.asp National Flag . . . since 1901 is an investigate one of the following flags: Aboriginal flag, Torres more than one set of stickers, copy each set onto different engaging video that explores the Strait Islander flag, and the flags of the States and Territories. coloured labels.) Arrange the labels at random on the board. Activity 11 ✷ A flag for the school community origins and values that have gone (Pictures of the State and Territory flags appear on Card 1a in Names: the ‘Herald’ Federal flag, the Aboriginal flag, the Eureka into the making of the Australian ▼ the Discovering Democracy Primary Kit.) For each flag, flag, the National Colonial flag, the Federal flag, the Torres Strait Students design a flag for the school that incorporates the national flag. The video and groups should provide a poster showing the flag, describing Islander flag, the Australasian Anti-Transportation flag, the values of the school and its community. Use the school teachers’ notes aim to foster its history and the symbols it uses, and explaining where and Union Jack motto, school crest and school song as sources of existing primary students’ understanding for whom it is designed. Dates: 1972, 1854, 1831, 1992, 1849, 1788, 1900 and 1901 symbols and values. of the national flag and the mean- ▼ ▼ Visit the following site to find information about your State ▼ Invite students or pairs of students to select a flag name to Involve students in a range of activities: group discussion of ings represented by the symbols it or Territory’s flag, crests, and floral and fauna emblems: research using the resources and websites listed on page 2. key values or ideals for the school, creating the design, contains. The resource can be http://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au/srch_browse.php3 The aim is to identify the flag design for the chosen name working out the proportions and maths of the design, doing used to support civics education ▼ Display completed posters in the classroom. As a class, and the year in which it was first used (or proposed for use) the art work, constructing the prototype, and establishing in SOSE/HSIE, and has applica- develop a concept map that describes the similarities and in Australia. where, when and how the flag could be used. tion to literacy, art and maths key learning areas. differences between the flags. ▼ Students could then display the flag design and create a ▼ As an extension activity, students could also investigate thumbnail history (a few sentences) about each flag to share Recommended level: Middle flags from other countries and compare the symbols and with the class. and upper primary ▼ Once all the flags, designs, names and dates have been ideals they represent to the Australian flag. Steven Siewert / The Sydney Morning Herald Assessing student outcomes Duration: 22 minutes matched, invite students to arrange themselves in a line (or AUSPIC lines) according to the chronological order of the event. (For • Repeat the flag foldout activity as a summative the two 1901 dates, students will need to consider the assessment task. Once complete, distribute the ✷ student sheets collected earlier and ask students The video at a glance month in which the competitions were run.) Activity 9 What does the Australian flag to compare their responses now to those they ▼ As an extension activity, students could create a timeline that mean to me? completed earlier. Encourage students to explain Section Key ideas Some questions for discussion during or after the video illustrates the progress towards a national Australian flag. ▼ Students can choose to create responses about the how and why their responses may have changed. (time marker min:sec) Australian flag, its history and meaning, and their personal • The student will be assessed on how he or she: feelings about it. Encourage students to suggest a format – described the flag as a symbol of Australian Flags as symbols ● Introduction: focus questions What questions does the video explore? that most appeals to them. Some possible responses are: identity (00:00 to 03:00) ● Use in modern and ancient times Why is it important to have a flag at an event like the –Prepare a spoken presentation to an overseas visitor. –explained the elements of the design ● The Olympic flag Olympic Games? What practical purposes have flags been used for? –Create an information brochure for new citizens. – briefly described how the flag design came –Write a short story or poem that expresses their into being National Flag Day ● Why this day? Why was an annual flag day proclaimed? relationship to the flag. –articulated the values he or she attributes to (03:00 to 04:00) ● Purpose of the celebration Why do you think it is important that we celebrate our flag? – Develop a PowerPoint™ presentation or personal website. the flag. History of the ● Federation and the 1901 Why did Federation create the need for a new flag? –Perform a role-play presenting the flag from the national flag flag competition Why was the Union Jack Australia’s official flag at the time perspective of one of the designers. (04:40 to 07:15) ● Competition winners of Federation? This Australian National Flag Association video has been made available to all Elements of the ● Southern Cross What symbols are on our flag? What is their role? primary schools by the Commonwealth Government. The teachers’ notes have been flag design ● Commonwealth or Why is the Southern Cross included? Activity 10 ✷ Planning for National Flag Day developed and funded by the Discovering Democracy Schools Materials Project as (07:15 to 11:56) Federation Star Why is the largest star called the Federation Star? Why did part of the Discovering Democracy civics and citizenship education programme. ● Union Jack the star change? ▼ Review the section of the video (03:00 to 04:40) that shows Why is the Union Jack included on our flag? citizens celebrating the first official National Flag Day. Indigenous flags ● Aboriginal flag Why is it important for Indigenous peoples to have their ▼ Discuss how people celebrate civic occasions, highlighting (11:56 to 13:05) ● Torres Strait Islander flag own flags? What do these flags symbolise? the activities in those celebrations – for example, marches, Role of the ● Symbols of democratic tradition What are the key ideas that the flag reminds us of? The stars of the Southern Cross were used by the diggers in unveiling ceremonies and music. Working in groups, each national flag ● Citizenship ceremonies Where else do you see the flag? Living Together, Working Together by Frank Jakamarra Nelson their flag at the Eureka Rebellion in 1854. group selects one key event (for example, Anzac Day, (13:06 to 15:40) ● National identity, values Why is it important that the flag be seen at civic events? WA1-0246 Frank (Bronson) Jakamarra, Living Together, Working Together. Charles Alphonse Doudiet, Swearing Allegiance to the Southern Cross 1854. Australia Day, a citizenship ceremony). Each group creates a and the flag Why do people honour the flag? Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Museum and Art Gallery of the Watercolour, pen and ink on paper 16.7 × 23.2 cm. Collection: Ballarat Fine Published by Curriculum Corporation © Commonwealth of Australia, 2002 profile of the event by completing the following: When and National ideals and ● Ivor Evans describes national What ideals did Ivor Evans associate with the flag? Northern Territory. Art Gallery. where does the ceremony occur? Who is involved? What do the flag virtues What values are symbolised in Anzac Day? How is the flag they do? What values is the ceremony celebrating? How are (15:40 to 18:17) ● Commemoration on used on Anzac Day? these values shared with the audience? Anzac Day How do the other scenes in this section show the ideals ● Flags in celebrations represented in the flag? ▼ Introduce the idea of planning a school-based celebration The websites listed on page 2 provide Further information and activities on the flag and its current place for National Flag Day on 3 September. Brainstorm possible Centenary of the ● Celebrations on 3 September 2001 Do you believe the flag is an important symbol? Why? national flag Why celebrate National Flag Day on 3 September background or links to information on in Australian culture are available on page 52 of the Discovering ideas for the ceremony, including the location of the event, (18:17 to 21:38) each year? flags from Australia and overseas. Democracy Middle Primary Units, ‘We Remember’. special guests (such as members from the local RSL or 5 6 1 Further questions and activities related to the Our National Flag … since 1901 poems in Activity 6 appear in the Teacher Guide that accompanies each set of Extension activities sporting identities), the program, involvement of other Australian Readers. school members, and so on. Divide the class into work TEACHERS’ NOTES ✷ groups, each with a responsibility to plan a section of the Activity 8 Researching the history of the ceremony. Groups could include: publicity, programs and Australian flag invitations, staging and decorations, class liaison and ▼ This activity requires use of the video, and the additional ceremony coordinators. About the video resources and websites listed on page 2. ▼ For a guide to how to conduct a flag ceremony at your Activity 7 ✷ Other Australian flags What goes into making a national ▼ Australia has had a number of different flags suggested as school using the correct protocols, refer to flag? Cloth, a design and the ▼ While the national flag is the symbol of the nation, Australia federal or Australian flags over time. Write the following flag http://www.australianflag.org.au. The official proclamation of maker’s labour? Yes, but these do has a number of other flags that represent groups within our names and dates on separate sticky labels, so that there is at Australian National Flag Day can be downloaded from not make a flag meaningful. Our nation. Divide the class into groups and ask each group to least one flag per student or pair of students. (If you require http://www.australianflag.org.au/flagday.asp National Flag . . . since 1901 is an investigate one of the following flags: Aboriginal flag, Torres more than one set of stickers, copy each set onto different engaging video that explores the Strait Islander flag, and the flags of the States and Territories. coloured labels.) Arrange the labels at random on the board. Activity 11 ✷ A flag for the school community origins and values that have gone (Pictures of the State and Territory flags appear on Card 1a in Names: the ‘Herald’ Federal flag, the Aboriginal flag, the Eureka into the making of the Australian ▼ the Discovering Democracy Primary Kit.) For each flag, flag, the National Colonial flag, the Federal flag, the Torres Strait Students design a flag for the school that incorporates the national flag. The video and groups should provide a poster showing the flag, describing Islander flag, the Australasian Anti-Transportation flag, the values of the school and its community. Use the school teachers’ notes aim to foster its history and the symbols it uses, and explaining where and Union Jack motto, school crest and school song as sources of existing primary students’ understanding for whom it is designed. Dates: 1972, 1854, 1831, 1992, 1849, 1788, 1900 and 1901 symbols and values. of the national flag and the mean- ▼ ▼ Visit the following site to find information about your State ▼ Invite students or pairs of students to select a flag name to Involve students in a range of activities: group discussion of ings represented by the symbols it or Territory’s flag, crests, and floral and fauna emblems: research using the resources and websites listed on page 2. key values or ideals for the school, creating the design, contains. The resource can be http://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au/srch_browse.php3 The aim is to identify the flag design for the chosen name working out the proportions and maths of the design, doing used to support civics education ▼ Display completed posters in the classroom. As a class, and the year in which it was first used (or proposed for use) the art work, constructing the prototype, and establishing in SOSE/HSIE, and has applica- develop a concept map that describes the similarities and in Australia. where, when and how the flag could be used. tion to literacy, art and maths key learning areas. differences between the flags. ▼ Students could then display the flag design and create a ▼ As an extension activity, students could also investigate thumbnail history (a few sentences) about each flag to share Recommended level: Middle flags from other countries and compare the symbols and with the class. and upper primary ▼ Once all the flags, designs, names and dates have been ideals they represent to the Australian flag. Steven Siewert / The Sydney Morning Herald Assessing student outcomes Duration: 22 minutes matched, invite students to arrange themselves in a line (or AUSPIC lines) according to the chronological order of the event. (For • Repeat the flag foldout activity as a summative the two 1901 dates, students will need to consider the assessment task. Once complete, distribute the ✷ student sheets collected earlier and ask students The video at a glance month in which the competitions were run.) Activity 9 What does the Australian flag to compare their responses now to those they ▼ As an extension activity, students could create a timeline that mean to me? completed earlier. Encourage students to explain Section Key ideas Some questions for discussion during or after the video illustrates the progress towards a national Australian flag. ▼ Students can choose to create responses about the how and why their responses may have changed. (time marker min:sec) Australian flag, its history and meaning, and their personal • The student will be assessed on how he or she: feelings about it. Encourage students to suggest a format – described the flag as a symbol of Australian Flags as symbols ● Introduction: focus questions What questions does the video explore? that most appeals to them. Some possible responses are: identity (00:00 to 03:00) ● Use in modern and ancient times Why is it important to have a flag at an event like the –Prepare a spoken presentation to an overseas visitor. –explained the elements of the design ● The Olympic flag Olympic Games? What practical purposes have flags been used for? –Create an information brochure for new citizens. – briefly described how the flag design came –Write a short story or poem that expresses their into being National Flag Day ● Why this day? Why was an annual flag day proclaimed? relationship to the flag. –articulated the values he or she attributes to (03:00 to 04:00) ● Purpose of the celebration Why do you think it is important that we celebrate our flag? – Develop a PowerPoint™ presentation or personal website. the flag. History of the ● Federation and the 1901 Why did Federation create the need for a new flag? –Perform a role-play presenting the flag from the national flag flag competition Why was the Union Jack Australia’s official flag at the time perspective of one of the designers. (04:40 to 07:15) ● Competition winners of Federation? This Australian National Flag Association video has been made available to all Elements of the ● Southern Cross What symbols are on our flag? What is their role? primary schools by the Commonwealth Government. The teachers’ notes have been flag design ● Commonwealth or Why is the Southern Cross included? Activity 10 ✷ Planning for National Flag Day developed and funded by the Discovering Democracy Schools Materials Project as (07:15 to 11:56) Federation Star Why is the largest star called the Federation Star? Why did part of the Discovering Democracy civics and citizenship education programme. ● Union Jack the star change? ▼ Review the section of the video (03:00 to 04:40) that shows Why is the Union Jack included on our flag? citizens celebrating the first official National Flag Day. Indigenous flags ● Aboriginal flag Why is it important for Indigenous peoples to have their ▼ Discuss how people celebrate civic occasions, highlighting (11:56 to 13:05) ● Torres Strait Islander flag own flags? What do these flags symbolise? the activities in those celebrations – for example, marches, Role of the ● Symbols of democratic tradition What are the key ideas that the flag reminds us of? The stars of the Southern Cross were used by the diggers in unveiling ceremonies and music. Working in groups, each national flag ● Citizenship ceremonies Where else do you see the flag? Living Together, Working Together by Frank Jakamarra Nelson their flag at the Eureka Rebellion in 1854. group selects one key event (for example, Anzac Day, (13:06 to 15:40) ● National identity, values Why is it important that the flag be seen at civic events? WA1-0246 Frank (Bronson) Jakamarra, Living Together, Working Together. Charles Alphonse Doudiet, Swearing Allegiance to the Southern Cross 1854. Australia Day, a citizenship ceremony). Each group creates a and the flag Why do people honour the flag? Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Museum and Art Gallery of the Watercolour, pen and ink on paper 16.7 × 23.2 cm. Collection: Ballarat Fine Published by Curriculum Corporation © Commonwealth of Australia, 2002 profile of the event by completing the following: When and National ideals and ● Ivor Evans describes national What ideals did Ivor Evans associate with the flag? Northern Territory. Art Gallery. where does the ceremony occur? Who is involved? What do the flag virtues What values are symbolised in Anzac Day? How is the flag they do? What values is the ceremony celebrating? How are (15:40 to 18:17) ● Commemoration on used on Anzac Day? these values shared with the audience? Anzac Day How do the other scenes in this section show the ideals ● Flags in celebrations represented in the flag? ▼ Introduce the idea of planning a school-based celebration The websites listed on page 2 provide Further information and activities on the flag and its current place for National Flag Day on 3 September. Brainstorm possible Centenary of the ● Celebrations on 3 September 2001 Do you believe the flag is an important symbol? Why? national flag Why celebrate National Flag Day on 3 September background or links to information on in Australian culture are available on page 52 of the Discovering ideas for the ceremony, including the location of the event, (18:17 to 21:38) each year? flags from Australia and overseas. Democracy Middle Primary Units, ‘We Remember’. special guests (such as members from the local RSL or 5 6 1