History
The Torres Strait Islander flag was designed by the late Bernard Namok as a symbol of unity and identity for Torres Strait Islanders. Adopted in 1992, it was the winning entry in a design competition run by the Island Coordinating Council (ICC), a Queensland statutory body representing the community councils in the Torres Strait.
In the same year it was recognised by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and given equal prominence with the Australian Aboriginal Flag.
In July 1995 the Australian Government recognised it, with the Australian Aboriginal Flag, as an official ‘Flag of Australia’ under the Flags Act 1953.
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Form and symbolism
The Torres Strait Islander flag has three horizontal panels, with green at the top and bottom and blue in between. These panels are divided by thin black lines. A white dhari (headdress) sits in the centre, with a five-pointed white star beneath it.
The symbolism of the colours is:
- Green (PMS 342) - represents the land
- Blue (PMS 280) - represents the sea
- White - represents peace
- Black - represents the Indigenous peoples
The dhari represents Torres Strait Islander people and the five-pointed star represents the five island groups within the Torres Strait. The star is also a symbol for seafaring people as it is used in navigation.
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Copyright
The copyright of the Torres Strait Island flag is owned by the Island Coordinating Council. Contact details are:
- Island Coordinating Council
- PO Box 501
- Thursday Island QLD 4875
- Telephone 07 4069 1446
- Fax 07 4069 1868
The ICC gives permission for requests to reproduce the Torres Strait Flag subject only to the following conditions:
- that, where appropriate, recognition is given to the original designer, the late Mr Bernard Namok, and
- that the original PMS colours (see above) are used.
Permission is not required to fly the Torres Strait Islander Flag.
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Purchase of flags
The ICC has no licensing agreement with a flag manufacturer, but sources its own flags from:
- Geo Pickers
- 108 Mulgrave Road
- Cairns QLD 4870
- Telephone (07) 4051 1944
- Fax (07) 4035 1031
- Email geopickers@austarnet.com.au
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Display
Any questions on how and when to display the Torres Strait Islander Flag should be directed to:
- Commonwealth Flag Officer
- Awards and National Symbols
- Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- 3-5 National Circuit
- Barton ACT 2600
- Telephone 02 6271 5629
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