Western Australia State Flag ( WA )
West Australia is the country's largest state. Prior to state-hood, The Swan River Colony was established in 1829 and the capital city, Perth, is situated on the Swan today.
Even in those early days the Black Swan (Cygnus Atratus) was the emblem as it remains currently. First introduced on 27th of November 1875. The current state flag was formally adopted in 1953.
WA's original flag in 1870, was slightly different from its current day flag. The swan on the flag faced towards the fly edge.
The colonial seal and postage stamps used at the time had the swan facing left though the state badge approved on the 3rd of January 1870, showed a right facing swan.
To conform with vexillology guidelines the swan was reversed to face the hoist in 1953. This is a guideline that indicates when a flag is carried on a pole, the depicted animal points in the direction of the flag bearer. |
