In
1865 the Imperial Parliament passed the Colonial Naval Defence Act, it permitted the colonies of Australia to possess and operate ships of war.
This led to the requirement of ensigns (flags) that would distinguish the origin of all vessels belonging
to, or permanently in the service of, Colonial Governments.
The colonies were advised by the Imperial Parliament to adopt flags based on the British Blue Ensign, with their colony
seal or badge positioned in the fly.
The Blue Ensign is a navy blue flag with the Union Flag or Union Jack, of Great Britain, in the
upper hoist (upper left corner).
Criticism by the British Admiralty led to the replacement of a flag adopted
by New South Wales in April 1870, because it was too similar in design to the flag
already adopted by the Colony of Victoria.
The 1870 New South Wales flag displayed 5 gold stars (a representation of the constellation the Southern Cross) in the fly, surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The Southern Cross is a prominent constellation seen from the southern hemisphere.
The flag was revised and a badge incorporating the red cross of St George, with an eight-pointed star on each arm and a gold lion centrally placed on a white field was chosen.
The current New South Wales flag was adopted on the 18th of February 1876. |
