Australasian Anti-Transportation League Flag
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The Australian Anti-Transportation League Flag is a flag used historically by members of the Anti-Transportation League who opposed penal transportation to the British colonies which are now a part of Australia. It is particularly significant as it is the oldest known flag to feature a representation of the Southern Cross with the stars arranged as they are seen in the sky.
The flag was designed in 1849 by Reverend John West of Launceston, Tasmania, and from 1851 was used by the Australian Anti-Transportation League in the Australian colonies and in New Zealand. The flag is blue, with the Union Flag in the Canton, and the Southern Cross on the fly. Each of the stars of the Southern Cross was symbolic of a member colony. There is a white border around three sides of the flag, which was used to display the name of the League, the year it was established and the name of the colony where it was flown.
The flag was no longer used after transportation was ceased in 1853, however the design of the flag is similar to many later flags, including the Flag of New Zealand, Flag of Victoria and Flag of Australia.
[edit] Reference
- Foley, C. A. 1996. The Australian Flag: Colonial relic or contemporary icon? The Federation Press ISBN 1-86287-188-4
[edit] External links
 Australian Flags |
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| Commonwealth: | National flag | Red Ensign | White Ensign | Air Force Ensign | Defence Force Ensign | Queen's Personal Australian Flag | Governor-General | Aboriginal | Torres Strait Islander | Civil Aviation Ensign | Customs Flag | |
|---|---|---|
| States and territories: | Australian Capital Territory | Christmas Island | New South Wales | Norfolk Island | Northern Territory | Queensland | South Australia | Tasmania | Victoria | Western Australia | Governors of the States | |
| Historic: | Anti-Transportation League Flag | Australian Federation Flag | Bowman Flag | Eureka Flag | National Colonial Flag | |
