In 1992 the Islands Coordinating Council organized a cultural revival workshop which included a design competition for a flag.
Uncle Bernard Namok’s, design won and became what we know today as the Torres Strait Flag.
“…I remember my dad sitting up late doing sketches. Night after night the dinner table would be filled with his sketches of the flag.” – Bernard Namok Jr
Later that year the flag was recognised by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and seen as equally important to the Aboriginal Flag.
In 1995 the Federal Government proclaimed the Torres Strait Islander Flag a ‘Flag of Australia’ under the Flags Act 1953. The copyright of the Torres Strait Island flag is owned by the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC).
Symbolism
- Green - the mainlands (Papua New Guinea and Australia)
- Black - the people of the Torres Strait Islands
- Blue - the waters surrounding the islands
- White Dhari - the Dhari is a traditional headdress made and worn by men. The white colour symbolises peace.
- Five-Pointed Star - the five major island groups and their ties to navigation by sea
Sources
- Torres Strait Flag, Torres Strait Regional Authority
- The Torres Strait Islander Flag, Common Ground
- Torres Strait Islander Flag, AIATSIS
- Bernard Namok, AIATSIS