Celebrating Australia

Welcome To A Journey With Me
To Discover A Little About Australia Visiting Reader...


      Today, 26 January, is a special day for Australia. It's a day Australia being Australia is celebrated.
        My Spot is a nice way to share the day with any who stop by to visit and have a read. I've chosen to share the day with you by first including Australia's Commonwealth Coat of Arms....

 

        King George V officially granted this design for the Commonwealth Coat of Arms on 19 September 1912.  The Symbols on the Shield represent the six States of Australia. The Border represents Federation. The Kangaroo and Emu it is said were chosen to hold the Shield to symbolize a nation moving forward. This is based on the common belief that neither animal finds it easy to move backwards. The Gold Star above has six points to represent the Australian States, with the seventh point representing the Territories. A wreath of gold and blue sits under the Commonwealth Star. Gold and Blue being the Commonwealth Coat of Arms' livery or identifying colours. Australia's floral emblem, the Golden Wattle frames the shield and Supporters. Beneath the Shield a scroll contains the word 'Australia'.

        Next thought it is a good idea to include a Map of Australia (became plural).....

         Australia comprises Six States and Ten Territories. Two of the Territories are located on the Mainland, eight are not.... The following map indicates locations of seven of the eight non-mainland  Territories -

And the following maps show location of the eighth non-mainland Territory... Jervis Bay Territory  - 

Australia's six States are Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

The ten Territories comprise two Mainland Territories... Canberra, (Australia's Capital Territory, the ACT), and the Northern Territory. One offshore Territory... Norfolk Island. And Seven Territories governed by Commonwealth Law, usually through a Commonwealth appointed Administrator... Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Coral Sea Islands. Jervis Bay Territory, and Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

Jervis Bay Territory is managed jointly by the Commonwealth and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community of Jervis Bay.
   

        Australia's National Flower, the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) -

The Golden Wattle proclaimed Australia's National Floral Emblem 19 August 1988. When in flower displays National Colours of Green and Gold. Unofficially accepted as Floral Emblem to mark Federation in 1901. In 1912 was suggested by Prime Minister Rt Hon Andrew Fisher MP to be included on Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

        Australia's National Flag has quite a History in becoming what is now....

        The Story of Australia's National Flag begins in 1901. First flown in September 1901 at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. The then Seat of the Federal Government. In about 1903 Stars of the Southern Cross simplified to four seven-pointed stars and one five-pointed star. In 1908 a seventh point added to Commonwealth Star to represent Australian Territories. The Union Jack (left top corner) acknowledges British Settlement. Below it is the Commonwealth and Federation Star. The Southern Cross on right is a Constellation of Stars only seen from the Southern Hemisphere. A reminder of Australia's Geography.

        Next is one of my very favourite gemstones.... the Opal, Australia's National Gemstone. In doing this Story, discovered this to be so. For me the Opal represents the Earth's Energy....

        To Indigenous Folk of Australia, the Opal's colours were created when a Rainbow touched Earth. Also known by Indigenous People as "Fire of the Desert". A powerful symbol of Australia's Arid Interior. the Opal proclaimed a National Gemstone 27 July 1993.



        Colours symbolizing Australia....
Green - evokes forests, eucalyptus trees and pastures of Australia's landscape.
Gold - conjures images of Australia's beaches, mineral wealth, grain harvests, and fleece of Australian Wool.
Red, White and Blue - Australian Flag.
Blue and Gold - Commonwealth Coat of Arms

        I hope you have enjoyed this giving and in sharing in the Celebrating of Australia, known as Australia Day.

        The Sources enabling me to achieve this giving is my pleasure to acknowledge....

1.    Australia's Coat of Arms, Golden Wattle, Australian Flag and Opal (photo by S. Humphries) , plus most of the information was sourced from "It's An Honour" - 

  http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au

2.   Australia's Map I sourced from  -
  http://www.nationalgeographic.com
I have not been able to re-find it at site. I usually check after searching via google any downloaded material. This time was not successful, but include the URL out of courtesy for having found the Map to freely download to include here.


3.   The green and white map showing Australia's Territories I sourced from Wikipedia... the place, I am finding, where one usually finds what one needs when anywhere else is unsuccessful.... 

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_and_territories_of_Australia

4.   The two mainly red coloured Maps showing New South Wales and its South Coast for Jervis Bay Territory and Jervis Bay's area I located at "Sydney Tourist Guide" site - 

  http://www.sydney-australia.biz

5.   Information informing me of Australia's six States and ten Territories I sourced from - 

  http://www.australia.gov.au

Listed under heading 'About Australia'... State and Territory Government.



The Cute Introductory Image is from -
    http://www.animated-gifs.eu

 
        Until soon, with appreciation from Magda.