January 26th.
If you can pick another day on Australia’s calendar that so uniquely captures peak national pride, while also commemorating this country’s brutal past, we’d like to hear about it.
It’s a day where the nation’s identity is called into question, and the competing factors of tradition and progress are pretty handily represented in the debate over the current Australian flag. As part of that ongoing conversation, Western Sydney University had a crack at the issue by asking respondents that great hypothetical:
If you could choose a new, viable banner for Australia, what’d it be?
Over 8,000 responses later, and today’s results point to the blue, white, green & gold “Southern Horizon.” Have a gander:
The Southern Horizon. Source: southernhorizonflag.weebly.com.
It’s a far departure from the current rendition, but that’s exactly the point, according to WSU’s Dr Benjamin T. Jones. Dr Jones, who was in charge of the survey, told ABC getting rid of the Union Jack was a priority among respondents. 31% of those in favour of a change voted for the Southern Horizon.
Not included in the Southern Horizon: explicit recognition of Indigenous culture. The Reconciliation Flag, another one of the options, showcases the traditionally recognised Aboriginal colours of red, yellow and black, while replacing the Southern Cross’ white stars with green; it also picked up nearly a third of the vote.
The Reconciliation Flag. Source: The Conversation.
For the record, the Eureka Flag also made an appearance as a possible option, joining Australia’s Sporting Flag, the Golden Wattle, and the plain ol’ Southern Cross. Of course, respondents could also choose to keep our current flag; 36% did so.
“In one sense, it’s an outdated thing,” Dr Jones said. Not outdated: taking the opportunity to raise your voice about exactly how you think this nation should be represented.
Still, it’s no Kiwi with lazer eyes, is it?
Source: ABC.
Photo: Facebook.
