The Aboriginal Flag is divided horizontally into equal halves
of black (top) and red (bottom), with a yellow circle in the centre.
The black symbolises Aboriginal people and the yellow represents
the sun, the constant re-newer of life. Red depicts the earth
and peoples' relationship to the land. It also represents ochre,
which is used by Aboriginal people in ceremonies.
The flag - designed by Harold Joseph Thomas, a Luritja man from
Central Australia - was first flown at Victoria Square, Adelaide
on National Aborigines' Day on 12 July 1971. It was used later
at the Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972.
Today the flag has been adopted by all Aboriginal groups and is
flown or displayed permanently at Aboriginal centres throughout
Australia.
The Torres Strait Islander Flag - designed by the late Bernard
Namok from Thursday Island - stands for the unity and identity
of all Torres Strait Islanders.
It features three horizontal coloured stripes, with green at the
top and bottom and blue in between - divided by thin black lines.
A white dharri or deri (a type of headdress) sits in the centre,
with a five-pointed white star underneath it. The colour green
is for the land. The dharri or deri is a symbol for all Torres
Strait Islanders. The black represents the people. The blue is
for the sea.
The five-pointed star represents the island groups. Used in navigation,
the star is also an important symbol for the sea-faring Torres
Strait Islander people. The colour white of the star represents
peace.
