History Flag of Tasmania

unofficial merchant ensign used before colony adopted official flag



flag of tasmania, 9 november - 23 november 1875

the first local flag of tasmania adopted proclamation of tasmanian colonial governor sir frederick weld on 9 november 1875. flag had white cross on blue field, in canton union flag, , in fly 5 five-pointed stars of southern cross. british blue ensign , red ensign (for use respectively government vessels , privately owned) have white cross added. @ fly end of each flag southern cross formed of white stars added above , below horizontal arm of cross. 2 weeks later, on 23 november, flags officially abandoned because henry herbert, 4th earl of carnarvon, secretary of state colonies in london made clear single badge placed @ fly end of ensign, set out rule of british admiralty.

a year later tasmanian government decided, british admiralty’s approval, badge colony red lion on white disk. lion gold in colour, above golden torse, new flag omitted in favour of more traditional red.

a british blue ensign badge served tasmanian government vessels, , privately owned vessels fly un-defaced british red ensign. after tasmania became state on 1 january 1901, tasmanian blue ensign used, , reserved official purposes. vessels preferred fly australian red ensign.

on 3 december 1975, government proclamation governor sir stanley burbury, , endorsed premier bill neilson established official tasmanian flag, although had technically been officially adopted when gazetted in 1876. since time has been acceptable private citizens use flag, although uncommon see them doing so.