The Scottish Australian Flag
1988
This distingtive flag consists of a white saltire St Andrews cross defacing a azure blue field the red Lion Rampant of Scotland a heraldic symbol on a golden shield and the white mullet stars representing the Southern Cross. The flag links the traditional symbols of Scotland with Australia.
The first Scottish settlers arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788, The three of the first six Governors of New South Wales John Hunter, Lachlan Macquarie and Thomas Brisbane were Scottish. Many Scots arriving in the early colonial period were convicts. With later migration Scottish folk included skilled builders, tradesmen, engineers, toolmakers, and printers. The also invested in pastoral and mining industries.
Today, a strong cultural Scottish presence is evident in the Highland games, dance, Tartan day celebrations, Clan and Gaelic speaking societies found throughout modern Australia.
The Scottish Australian flag was broken out for the first time by the then Chairman of the Scottish Australian Heritage Council William MacLennan, Chieftain in Clan MacLennan on 21 July 1988 at the Duesbury Building head office then one of Australia’s largest accounting firms. The building overlooked the site of the first Government House.
During the flag raising ceremony a blessing was given by the Rev, David Inglis at the time the minister, The Scots Kirk, Mosman, Sydney. People of Scottish ancestry have contributed enormously to Australian society and have left their mark.
Designer John Christian Vaughan OAM