In respect to John Bergin’s letter (8/2/12) it can confidently be stated that the Australian flag is one of the most beautiful amongst all flags. It has been, and is, proudly carried by the men and women of our armed services and our athletes and, I think, is regarded with affection and respect by most Australians.
It is a flag of great symbolism: The Union Jack is a composite of the crosses of St. George
(England and Wales), St. Andrew (Scotland) and St. Patrick (Ireland) and represents our British heritage, an heritage reflected in our systems of law and parliamentary democracy, neither of which has a superior anywhere else in the world. The evolution of the Union Jack is a story worth the research.
The seven pointed Federation or Commonwealth Star, representing the six states and Northern Territory, reminds us of Federation in 1901. The Southern Cross is a readily recognisable constellation in the sky of the Southern Hemisphere, part of our cosmography.
I doubt whether a more beautiful and symbolic flag could be devised. Perhaps the 48 percent of Australians, mentioned in the poll, who support our flag are the most perceptive.
Peter Gerard,
Guyra
