Last modified: 2009-03-21 by jonathan dixon
Keywords: wagga wagga | w | wheat | sheep: merino ram (head) |
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The website of Wagga Wagga City Council, includes the page http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/council/wwccflag.asp, which contains a picture of the flag and the following text:
In 1965 Council adopted a City Flag at the time it negotiated a Coat of Arms through he College of Arms in London . The flag was designed by Mr H.Ellis Tomlinson, M.A., F.H.S. however, the stalks of wheat and other motifs incorporated in the design were suggested by the Council. The design of the city flag was taken from the central motif of the shield of the Coat of Arms with the design being made square.As the text suggests, the flag is a square banner of arms. David Gardiner, one of the Council staff, informs me that
"The City of Wagga Wagga flag is flown on official occaisions where it is deemed to be appropriate and is flown daily at the Wagga Wagga City Airport & at the Lawn Cemetary & Crematorium. It is also hung permanently in the City Council Chambers and meeting room."Jonathan Dixon, 11 Feb 2005
The arms are illustrated at http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/council/armorial_bearings.asp, with the explanation:
Contributed by Jonathan Dixon, 11 Feb 2005Granted by letters Patent dated 15th November, 1965
Blazon
ARMS: Vert on a fess between in chief eight stalks of wheat each four in the form of the letter W and in base a Merino ram's head caboshed all Or a bar wavy Azure.
CREST: Out of a mural crown in front of a caduceus or winged Sabrel eight leaves of the River Red Gum tree (Eucalyptus Camaldulensis) conjoined and in the form of two letters W proper. Manteled Vert doubled Or.
SUPPORTERS: On either side a crow wings addorsed proper gorged with a collar dancetty Or and perched on a forked twig the whole upon a compartment of grass divided by water barry wavy Argent and Azure.
MOTTO: Forward in Faith.
Interpretation
SHIELD: The gold band and green is from the arms of Captain Charles Sturt, discoverer of the area. The blue waves represents the Murrumbidgee River. The wheat stalks, arranged like the letters WW, and Merino ram's head are for the principal industries.
CREST: The mural crown represents a civic community. The eight leaves of the River Red Gum tree, arranged like the letters WW, stand in front of the caduccus of Mercury, God of Commerce.
SUPPORTERS: The crows, taken from the former seal, recall the meaning of the City's name ("Place of Many Crows"). They wear, distinguishing collars in the form of a W and stand on a base of grass divided by water, representing the building of the City on either side of the river.
(The Sturt Arms were granted by the Kings of Arms at the College to Anthony Sturt, Alderman of London in 1691.)
The Arms were designed by Mr. H.Ellis Tomlinson, M.A., F.H.S., of Lancashire, England. The Arms were negotiated with H.M. College of Arms, through Messrs. Shaw and Sons Limited, of London.
The Motto: "Forward in Faith" was selected by the Council as a result of a public competition. This was the winning entry and was submitted by Mrs. Belle Carlin, of Belmore, N.S.W.
The Letters Patent and City Flag were dedicated by the local Clergy and formally handed over by the Chief Justice of N.S.W., Sir Leslie Heron, K.B.E., C.M.G., on 2nd June, 1966.