A design for the Australian flag

In 1901, following Federation, the Commonwealth government conducted a competition for the design of an Australian flag. Three elements were important – a Union Jack to represent Great Britain, the Southern Cross for the continent, and a symbol for the unity of the states.

More than 32,000 designs were received from all over the world. This design is one of those entries.

Five people, who submitted similar designs, were declared joint winners and the prize money was shared among them. The winners were Mrs Annie Dorrington of Perth, Mr L Hawkins of Sydney, Mr S Nutall of Melbourne, Mr William Stevens of Auckland, New Zealand, and Ivor Evans, a 14-year-old schoolboy from Melbourne.