Summary

Poster commemorating the first use of the Aboriginal Flag. Text reads 'Harold Joseph Thomas the designer of the Aboriginal Flag made its 1st public [appearance] on NAIDOC DAY July 1971, in Adelaide SA. The symbolic meaning of the flag... the black represents the Aboriginal people, past, present & future, the yellow represents the sun, the giver of life, the red represents [the] earth, red ochre, and our spiritual relationship to the land.' Designed by Harold Thomas, the Aboriginal flag was first flown at Victoria Square in Adelaide, South Australia, on National Aborigines Day, 12 July 1971. The flag became widely recognised as a symbol of the unity and identity of Aboriginal people. This recognition resulted in its legal acknowledgement by the Commonwealth Government and in 1995, the Aboriginal flag was proclaimed a 'Flag of Australia' under the Flags Act 1953.

Physical Description

Ink on paper. Title: '20 YEARS Commemoration of the Aboriginal Flag 1971-1991'. Design features six Aboriginal flags against background of sea and coastline. Hand drawn text on lower red panel.

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