Launceston (Tasmania, Australia) (original) (raw)

Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania, found in the north of the island, at the junction of the North Esk, South Esk and Tamar Rivers.

The flag shown in the photo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_launceston-tasmania.jpguploaded by Wikipedia user Stonyisalegend in September 2007) is a banner of the arms of the City of Launceston, which were described on the city website at
http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=280&langID=1. The arms were granted on 11 June 1957 and are blazoned: Or on a Pall reversed Azure a Bezant in centre point and an Ingot of Tin proper on each of the lower limbs on a Chief Indented Vert three Waratah Flowers stalked and leaved also proper.

In other words, the flag is gold with an upside down pall/Y-shape with a gold disc at the centre (representing the location of Launceston at the junction of the three rivers) and tin ingots on the lower two arms (representing the city's historical tin smelting industry; the gold background represent the district's gold mining history). Above this is a green saw-toothed strip (chief) bearing three red Waratahs, (representing the city's parks, gardens and countryside, and endemic fauna respectively).

Wikipedia user Aaroncrick says that the flag is not notably recognised in the city. As a banner of arms, this is unsurprising. However, the City's flag flying policy, reaffirmed in 2009 (http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/upfiles/lcc/cont/about_council/pdfs/council_meetings/minutes/Council%20Minutes%2029%20Jun%202009.pdf) Council minutes, 29 June 2009, lists several locations where the City Flag is to be flown:
Albert Hall daily, with the national flag,
Aurora Stadium on weekdays and events days, with the state flag and stadium flag,
Brisbane Street Mall every day with the national, Aboriginal and state flags,
Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery when open, with the national and state flags (this museum holds the surviving Australian
Anti-Transportation League Flag),
the Cenotaph in Royal Park on weekdays with the national flag,
Home Point in Royal Park every day with the state flag,
the Town Hall everyday with the national flag.

(The flag can be seen flying at the Town Hall in thecurrent Google Street View images. The Wikipedia photo would also appear to be in that location, taken form the roof or further behind, with the Telstra building opposite in the background.
Jonathan Dixon, 6 January 2011