4. The Australian Coat of Arms The shield is the focal point of the coat of arms, contained within is the badge of each Australian state. In the top half, from left to right, the states represented are: New South Wales , Victoria, and Queensland. In the bottom half, from left to right : South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Above the shield is the seven-pointed ‘Commonwealth Star’ or 'Star of Federation' above a blue and gold wreath, forming the crest. Six of the points on the star represent the original six states, while the seventh point represents the combined territories and any future states of Australia. In its entirety the shield represents the Federation of Australia. The Red Kangaroo and Emu that support the shield are the unofficial animal emblems of the nation. They owe this recognition to the fact that they are native Australian fauna, (found only on that continent), and likely chosen because they are the most well-known native Australian animals large enough to be positioned together in scale holding up the shield. It is often claimed these animals were chosen because neither animal can move backward, only forward - i.e. progress. In reality both animals can move backwards, but infrequently do. In the background is wreath of Golden Wattle, the official national floral emblem, though the representation of the species is not botanically accurate . At the bottom of the coat of arms is a scroll that contains the name of the nation. Neither the wreath of wattle nor the scroll are technically part of the official design described on the Royal Warrant that grants the armorial design.
5. Immigration! The closeness of World War II being at Australian shores had a frightening effect upon Australia as a whole with its small, less than 10 million population post WW2, and people realized the need to blend in and grow quickly. The point of promotion re migration to Australia was to bring more to enable the country to grow. Perhaps its greatest prime minister was at the helm at the time, Sir Robert Menzies. His immigration and population motto was, "Populate or perish." Therefore, migrants had government assistance to do this. Many people had had their homes and lives destroyed from war, particularly in Europe: it was easier than salvaging for many to simply uproot and start again - a fresh new start in a fresh new continent. Migrants came from Italy, Greece, England, Scotland, and a few other European countries.
6. Aboriginal Culture! The symbolic meaning of the flag colours (as stated by Mr Harold Thomas) are: Black: Represents the Aboriginal people of Australia Red: Represents the red earth, the red ochre and a spiritual relation to the land Yellow: Represents the Sun, the giver of life and protector
7. Interesting Facts! 1. Sydney -Australia's first and largest city. Also known as Sin City. Wanted to be Capital of Australia but its convict disgrace counted against it. 3. Because Sydney and Melbourne kept bickering over which city should be the capital of Australia, it was decided that neither of them would be capital and instead, a new capital would be built in the middle of them both. 5. Tasmaniahas the cleanest air in the world. 8. Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the Australian coat of arms for that reason. 10. Syney has the deepest natural harbour in the world with 504,00 mega litres of water 6. Australia day - January 26, Australia day, is the anniversary of ships arriving in Sydney carrying a load of Convicts. 4. The name Australia comes from the Latin Terra Australis Incognito which means the Unknown Southern Land. 2. Melbourne - Wanted to be the Capital of Australia on the baisthat it was the home to the Australian establishment and was not founded by Convicts. 9. The current population of Australia is 22,634,868 7. Australia's first police force was a band of 12 of the most well behaved Convicts.
