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Secondary students were also acculturated into developing a symbolic attachment to the flag,
with the following passage from Chapter 32: Federation in A story of the Australian people:
Queensland edition:
To symbolize Australia’s existence as a nation, it was decided to adopt an Australian
flag—a flag which should, at the same time, be an emblem of our connection with
Great Britain and the Empire. On one top quarter of the flag is the Union Jack to
remind us that we are a “New Britannia in a Southern World” and a part of the
British Commonwealth of Nations that stands for Liberty, Peace, Prosperity and
Justice. Under the Jack is a seven pointed star representing the six States of Australia
and the Federal territory. On the fly is a representation of the Southern Cross,
consisting of five stars, one small star with five points, and four others, slightly
larger, with seven points each. (Cramp, 1927, p. 199, emphasis added)
Australia’s flag, as a symbol of connection to Great Britain, is articulated overtly in the
passage, with the statement: “to symbolize Australia’s existence as a nation, it was decided to
adopt an Australian flag—a flag which should, at the same time, be an emblem of our
connection with Great Britain and the Empire” (Cramp, 1927, p. 199, emphasis added). This
explicitly sends the message to school students that Australia’s connection with Great Britain
should be maintained, legitimising the superiority of Great Britain as well as the heritage of
Australia’s modern history. The perspective that Great Britain is superior is articulated
through the statement that including the Union Jack (Great Britain’s flag) in the top left
section of the flag is “to remind us that we are a “New Britannia in a Southern World” and a
part of the British Commonwealth of Nations that stands for Liberty, Peace, Prosperity and
Justice (Cramp, 1927, p. 199). So, although Australia has federated, the emotional connection
to Great Britain and other Commonwealth nations is strong and endorsed to students as
desirable to maintain.
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