Coat of arms of Canberra

The coat of arms of Canberra was created by the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs and Territories in 1927, in response to a request by the Commonwealth Department of Defence,^[1] who wanted to use it on the newly commissioned HMAS Canberra.^[1]

The Federal Capital Commission (FCC) announced a competition to design a coat of arms for both the ACT and the FCC.^[1]

In April 1928, the design of one Mr C. R. Wylie, having won the competition, was sent to the College of Arms, in London, for approval.^[1] The coat of arms at this stage did not include a motto. After minor adjustments, King George V granted the design by Royal Warrant dated 8 October 1928. The College of Arms issued the official exemplification (artistic rendition) and blazon (description) on 7 November 1928, along with a crest.^[1]

Symbolism

The various symbols of the coat of arms are explained below:

• The crown symbolises Royal authority;
• The mace symbolises the Parliament of Australia;
• The sword symbolises the Australian Defence Force;
• The castle has three towers, symbolise the three branches of government (executive, legislature and judiciary);
• The white rose is the badge of the Duke of York who opened the old Parliament of Australia building in 1927, and who would later be crowned as King George VI of the United Kingdom.
• The crowned portcullis again symbolises the parliament, this being the traditional symbol of the Palace of Westminster (which houses the Parliament of the United Kingdom);
• Behind the portcullis is a tree, symbolises Canberra's nickname "The Bush Capital";
• The supporters are the Australian black swan, representing the Australian Aborigines, and the European white swan, representing the white settlers.
• The motto is "For the Queen, the Law and the People" which is the English translation of "Pro Rege, Lege et Grege".^[2]

References

• ACT Chief Minister's Department (same text)
• Archives of ACT