The Australian National Flag: Born 1901, Chosen by a Schoolteacher

The flag commonly called the Flag of the Southern Cross is officially the Australian National Flag. Its creation story is uniquely democratic.

Timeline

• 1900: Federal government announces design competition (32,823 entries).
• 1901 (3 Sept): Winning design announced—simultaneously with Federation. First flown at Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne.
• 1903: King Edward VII approves; Gazette notice makes it official.
• 1954: Flags Act 1953 (Cth) confirms status over Union Jack.

The Designer

Ivor Evans, a 14-year-old Melbourne schoolboy (not a teacher—common myth), shared first prize (£200 split four ways) with four others who submitted near-identical designs: Leslie Hawkins, Annie Dorrington, Egbert Nuttall, William Stevens.

Design Elements

• Union Jack (canton) — historical link to UK.
• Commonwealth Star (7 pts) — 6 states + territories.
• Southern Cross (5 stars: Alpha–Epsilon Crucis) — constellation visible only in southern skies.

Variants

Red Ensign (merchant marine), White Ensign (Royal Australian Navy), RAAF Ensign, Aboriginal Flag & Torres Strait Islander Flag (proclaimed 1995).

A teenager's sketch became a nation's banner—simple, inclusive, enduring.