National Museum of Australia - Australian flag imagery slideshow

Australian flag imagery slideshow

WARNING: Visitors should be aware that this website includes images and names of deceased people that may cause sadness or distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Australia's national flag was the Union Jack until it was officially replaced by the blue ensign. The ensign combines the Union Jack with the stars of the Southern Cross.

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A black and white photograph of an Australian fighter squadron gathered around a raised Australian flag. The men are atop a mound and looking off the left of the photo.

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force stand under the flag somewhere in England before setting out on a sweep during the Second World War. Courtesy: State Library of Victoria.

Flag made by Australian ex-POWs from Saigon photograph, 1940s

A black and white photograph showing five men standing behind a homemade Australian flag. The men are shirtless.

Australians held as prisoners of war in Saigon made this Australian flag from mosquito net, handkerchiefs and red body belts. Courtesy: Australian War Memorial, negative no. 118876.

Australian citizenship ceremony photograph, 1953

Six men and two women hold the edge of an Australian flag which is spread out across the far end of a table.

The Australian flag at a 1953 Australian citizenship and naturalisation ceremony at the City Court Building in Melbourne on Australia Day. Courtesy: National Archives of Australia, A12111, 1/1953/12/1.

Saigon, Vietnam photograph, 1965

A black and white photograph of Australian soldiers in Saigon, Vietnam. They are standing at attention around a metal trunk which has an Australian flag draped over its top.

Pall bearers stand next to the coffin, draped with the Australian flag, during a solemn ceremony held after the accidental deaths in 1965 of Australian servicemen in Vietnam. Courtesy: Australian War Memorial, negative no. DNE/65/0151/VN.

Returning from Vietnam photograph, 1968

Black and white photograph of a young soldier in uniform. He is crouching down with his arms around two small children, one of whom is balanced on his left knee. He is surrounded by three other small children, one of whom is holding a miniature Australian flag.

Australian serviceman Private Jack Doulis returns from Vietnam to the embrace of his five children. Courtesy: Australian War Memorial, negative no. LES/68/0163/EC.

Boxing kangaroo flag

A dark green flag with a caricature of a yellow kangaroo wearing red boxing gloves.

The boxing kangaroo flag, inspired by boxing matches between men and kangaroos, dates from 1891. In 1941 the flag was stencilled onto Australian fighter planes based in Singapore and Malaya. A symbol synonymous with Australia's successful challenge for the America's Cup in 1983, the flag has increasingly been associated with sporting events such as the Olympic Games. National Museum of Australia. Photo: Lannon Harley.

Australian flag imagery slideshow

Australian flag imagery slideshow

Image Gallery Page Navigation

Australian fighter squadron photograph, 1939-45

Flag made by Australian ex-POWs from Saigon photograph, 1940s

Australian citizenship ceremony photograph, 1953

Saigon, Vietnam photograph, 1965

Returning from Vietnam photograph, 1968

Boxing kangaroo flag