Commonwealth Star

Commonwealth Star as the crest of Coat of Arms of Australia.

The Commonwealth Star (also known as the Federation Star, the Seven Point Star, or the Star of Federation) is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901.

Six points of the Star represent the six original states of the Commonwealth of Australia, while the seventh point represents the territories and any future states. The original Star had only six points; however, the proclamation in 1905 of the Territory of Papua led to the addition of the seventh point in 1908 to represent it and future territories.

Usage

The Commonwealth Star is found on both the flag of Australia and the Coat of Arms of Australia. On the Australian flag the Star appears in the lower hoist quarter, beneath the Union Flag, and as four of the five stars making up the Southern Cross on the fly. In the Coat of Arms, the Star forms the crest, atop a blue and gold wreath.

The Star also appears on the badges of the Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police, although the badges of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force feature the St Edward's Crown, as in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. In the event of the country becoming a republic, it has been suggested that the Commonwealth Star replace the Crown.^[1]

The Star is also used on numerous Australian medals, including the National Police Service Medal, the Defence Force Service Medal, the civilian Star of Courage, the Public Service Medal, the Ambulance Service Medal and the Australian Police Medal.

The star has appeared on Australian currency in various forms. It appeared next to a bounding kangaroo on pennies and half pennies and near a rams head on shillings from 1937 to 1964, as well as some special edition decimal coins since then.

It is also used as an ornament to official buildings such as Parliament House, Canberra.

Australian Capital Tourism uses a stylised version for their logo.^[2]

Gallery

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  Flag of Australia

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  Australian Coat of Arms (adopted 1912)

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  The Australian Coat of Arms on Parliament House, Canberra

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  1908 Coat of Arms

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  Royal Standard of Australia (Queen's Personal Australian Flag)

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  Ribbon for Defence Force Service Medal with Federation Star (5th clasp)

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  Australian 1951 six pence coin

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  1966 Australian 50 cent coin (round)

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  Coins of the Australian pound

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  Halfpenny (Australian) and Penny (Australian)

References

1. ^ New Name for the Republic: 'Commonwealth of Australia' Speech by the Hon. Peter Collins, QC, MLA 27 January 1997
2. ^ Visit Canberra website