Australia and its people 3

Anzac Day is observed on 25 April each year. Anzac Day is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which landed at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I on 25 April 1915.

The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red.

The flag of Great Britain, known as the Union Jack, is in the top left corner. The flag represents our history of British settlement.

The Commonwealth Star is under the Union Jack. This star has seven points, one point for each of the six states and one for the territories.

The Southern Cross, on the right, is a group of stars we see in the southern sky.

The Australian National Flag consists of the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star, the Southern Cross.

The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow.

The yellow circle on the Australian Aboriginal Flag represents the Sun.

The Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black and white.

The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the official symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Australia’s national flower is the golden wattle. This small tree grows mainly in south-eastern Australia. It has bright green leaves and many golden yellow flowers in spring.

Australia’s national colours are green and gold, the colours of the golden wattle. The uniforms of our national sports teams are usually green and gold.

Australia’s national gemstone is opal. In Aboriginal legend, a rainbow touched the earth and created the colours of the opal.

‘Advance Australia Fair’ is Australia’s National Anthem. It is sung on occasions of national importance. It is also sung at Australian citizenship ceremonies, major sporting events and at school. It unites the nation and is a public expression of the joy and pride in being Australian.

The shield in the centre represents the six states and federation.

Kangaroos are native Australian animals.

Emus are native Australian birds.

The colour white is a symbol of peace.

The top half of the Australian Aboriginal Flag is black and represents the Aboriginal people of Australia.

The black lines represent the Torres Strait Islander people.