Thread: Armistice day flags.

Hi Stuck,


Here is the info from the department of PM and Cabinet:

To: All Flag Marshals: Action Australia-wide; Action at Australian Overseas Posts

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Wednesday 11 November 2009

Remembrance Day is a day of special significance to all Australians, commemorating the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts.

All Australian Government departments and agencies are asked to observe Remembrance Day to remember the sacrifice of all those who have died for Australia.

A specific flag protocol has been developed for Remembrance Day to allow for the traditional ceremonial duties to be carried out, including a minute of silence from 11:00am.

On Remembrance Day, 11 November 2009, the Australian National Flag should be flown at the peak from approximately 8:00am until precisely 10:30am (local time) when it should be adjusted with dignity to the half-mast position, about the width of a flag down from the peak of the flagpole. At 11:02am the Australian National Flag should be moved briskly back to the peak for the remainder of the day.

All flags normally flown at a flag station should also be flown at half-mast during the ceremonial period, with the exception of the flags of other nations, which should not be flown at half-mast unless permission to do so is given by the local representatives of the government of that nation. If permission is not given or obtained, it is preferable to remove that flag for the period of the ceremony. When flown with other flags, the Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last.

All Australian Government departments are requested to participate in the protocol for Remembrance Day and to pass this message on to related portfolio agencies and authorities for attention. Other flag stations are also welcome to participate.

Further information on Remembrance Day ceremonies can be found on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.

Thank you for your assistance.

Commonwealth Flag Officer

4 November 2009


I signed up for the updates online, quite handy for detailed info.

Originally Posted by jplambs

Hi Stuck,


Here is the info from the department of PM and Cabinet:

To: All Flag Marshals: Action Australia-wide; Action at Australian Overseas Posts

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Wednesday 11 November 2009

Remembrance Day is a day of special significance to all Australians, commemorating the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts.

All Australian Government departments and agencies are asked to observe Remembrance Day to remember the sacrifice of all those who have died for Australia.

A specific flag protocol has been developed for Remembrance Day to allow for the traditional ceremonial duties to be carried out, including a minute of silence from 11:00am.

On Remembrance Day, 11 November 2009, the Australian National Flag should be flown at the peak from approximately 8:00am until precisely 10:30am (local time) when it should be adjusted with dignity to the half-mast position, about the width of a flag down from the peak of the flagpole. At 11:02am the Australian National Flag should be moved briskly back to the peak for the remainder of the day.

All flags normally flown at a flag station should also be flown at half-mast during the ceremonial period, with the exception of the flags of other nations, which should not be flown at half-mast unless permission to do so is given by the local representatives of the government of that nation. If permission is not given or obtained, it is preferable to remove that flag for the period of the ceremony. When flown with other flags, the Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last.

All Australian Government departments are requested to participate in the protocol for Remembrance Day and to pass this message on to related portfolio agencies and authorities for attention. Other flag stations are also welcome to participate.

Further information on Remembrance Day ceremonies can be found on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.

Thank you for your assistance.

Commonwealth Flag Officer

4 November 2009


I signed up for the updates online, quite handy for detailed info.

This has nothing to do with the original question since it relates to:

All Australian Government departments and agencies

I would say that it is up to each individual organisation (or individual) what they do. Ideally, a club could have flag protocol written into a constitution or simply passed as a by-law? at a general meeting.


Personally, I like the idea of flying the national flag. I wish more places, especially schools, would do so.

It's an Honour - Symbols - Australian National Flag

Flying flags at half-mast
Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.
The half-mast position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The flag must be lowered to a position recognisably half-mast to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole. An acceptable position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
There are times when direction will be given by the Australian Government for all flags to be flown at half-mast. The Commonwealth Flag Network can notify you of these occasions by email.
Flags in any locality can be flown at half-mast on the death of a local citizen or on the day, or part of the day, of their funeral.
When lowering the flag from a half-mast position it should be briefly raised to the peak and then lowered ceremoniously.
The flag should never be flown at half-mast at night even if it is illuminated.
When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast. The Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last.


Funerals
The flag can be used to cover the coffin of any Australian citizen at their funeral.
The upper left quarter or canton should be draped over the ‘left shoulder’ of the coffin to represent the heart.
The flag should be removed before the coffin is lowered into the ground or after the service at a crematorium.

Remembrance Day - Armistice Day - WW1 1918. (Australian flag fully hoisted from 8am until 10.30am, then at half mast until 11.03am, then again fully hoisted until sunset)

Whilst I can't find (at this point) a reference to a 'direction' from the Aust Gov I would be surprised if Armistice Day wasn't a day when flags should be at half mast (I know they certainly were/should be on all gov buildings)

Flag protocols are usually fairly specific, and if you are going to fly the national flag then you should also adhere to the protocols.



Martyn

Originally Posted by miky

This has nothing to do with the original question since it relates to:
I would say that it is up to each individual organisation (or individual) what they do. Ideally, a club could have flag protocol written into a constitution or simply passed as a by-law? at a general meeting.


Personally, I like the idea of flying the national flag. I wish more places, especially schools, would do so.

I fly the flag at home, when I first started doing so I looked up flag protocol on the Government websites and that was how I got on to the updates. While it does say that it is for government agencies when you sign up it asks that all Australian organisations/individuals follow the protocols/directions given so I thought this would have helped answer Stucks question. You're not supposed to fly it at half mast all day just for part of the day.

I discovered a few interesting things when going through some of them - like the fact that it is illegal to fly the Australian flag at night if it is not illuminated, otherwise they must come down at sunset.