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Home>Library>Information>Tasmanian State Emblems |
TASMANIAN STATE EMBLEMS |
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FLAG and BADGE |
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  Tasmanian Badge |
Like all other Australian States, the Tasmanian flag
has the Union Jack in the top left-hand corner and the State badge
to the right, on a dark blue background. It is twice as wide as it
is deep. The badge depicts a red lion within a white circle. Although
the reason for the design is not clear, it suggests historical ties
with England and was approved by the British Colonial Office on 29
November 1875. It has remained largely unchanged since except for a
slight modification to the lion when the flag was officially proclaimed
as the State flag by Governor Sir Stanley Burbury on 3 December 1975.
A motion was passed in the House of Assembly in November 1997 recommending
legislation to prevent any alteration to the flag without approval
at a referendum. Such legislation has yet to be introduced. |
MINERAL - Crocoite |
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Crocoite is an unusual orange-red lead mineral which can be beautiful and colourful. The main source of quality specimens is the Dundas district on the west coast of Tasmania. The crystals there are usually long thin prisms, however large crystals from this locality have been scarce in the past thirty years. It was proclaimed as the State mineral in 2000. |
COAT OF ARMS |
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The Tasmanian coat of arms was approved by Royal Warrant from King George V on 29 May 1917 and proclaimed in 1919. It features a shield supported by two thylacines (Tasmanian tigers, thought to be extinct). The shield bears images of the State's major rural industries - wheat, apples, hops, sheep - beneath a red lion holding a pick and shovel, symbolic of mining activities. The Latin motto at the bottom is Ubertas et fidelitas: 'Fertility and Faithfulness'. |
FLORA EMBLEM - Tasmanian Flowering Blue Gum |
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The Tasmanian Flowering Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) was identified and named by a French naturalist, Labillardiere, in 1799. It may grow to over 60 metres in height and is most common in southern and eastern Tasmania although some examples are found on the Bass Strait islands and in southern Victoria. Its timber is highly valued for its strength and durability. The Tasmanian Blue Gum is protected in areas under State control, such as national parks and crown land, and may not be removed without permission. It was proclaimed as the State floral emblem on 5 December 1962. |
FAUNA |
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| There are no official Tasmanian animal emblems, although the Tasmanian Devil is unofficially recognised as a symbol of Tasmanian wildlife and the yellow wattlebird is generally acknowledged to be our most identifiable bird. | |
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Images of State Emblems used with permission. Crown Copyright applies to these images. For permission to use these images please contact protocol@dpac.tas.gov.au |
[Committees] [Hansard]
[Historical Resources] [House
of Assembly] Maintained by Computer Services, Parliament of
Tasmania. Last Update: 29 January 2003 |
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