The Aboriginal Flag Is Now Flying Permanently on Top of the West Gate Bridge
After sailing atop the bridge during NAIDOC Week, the Indigenous flag has now taken up residence on the structure permanently — and the Torres Strait Islander flag might be added in the future.
What's better than one major Australian structure proudly displaying the Aboriginal flag, hoisting it high for everyone to see on a permanent basis? Two, of course. Actually, watching that list keep on growing would be even better still — but for now, Melbourne's West Gate Bridge has joined the Sydney Harbour Bridge in making the Aboriginal flag an enduring fixture.
As announced back on Monday, July 4 by the Victorian Government, the Aboriginal flag has taken up permanent residence upon the roadway, with permission from Traditional Owners. It was put in place last week for NAIDOC Week, and the decision was made to keep it there — rather than continue rotating it, as well as the Torres Strait Islander flag, when both Reconciliation and NAIDOC weeks pop up.
"The Aboriginal flag signifies unity, identity and resilience for Aboriginal people. We are very proud that we can now fly this important symbol above Melbourne," said Victoria's Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams.
"Flying the flag follows our ongoing partnership with the First Peoples of Victoria on our path to Treaty and truth."
"The Aboriginal flag represents inclusiveness, recognition and respect and having it flown permanently atop the West Gate Bridge demonstrates this commitment to Aboriginal communities in Victoria," added Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Kelly Lehmann.
"This is a significant first step, and we look forward to seeing ways in which the Torres Strait Islander flag can also be flown in the future."
The Aboriginal flag joins the Australian flag on top of the West Gate Bridge and, yes, the Victorian Government is now looking into being able to fly the Torres Strait Islander and Victorian State flags there as well. It's currently exploring both the feasibility and the requirements, including current flag protocols, as well as the bridge's structural, safety and maintenance requirements.
Victoria's move comes at the same time that this exact conversation has been taking place in New South Wales, about flying the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet originally pledged to give it a permanent berth atop the country's most famous man-made structure back in February, then announced in June that it'd become a reality by the end of 2022 — before confirming on Monday, July 11 that the flag would stay hoisted above the harbour post-NAIDOC Week, too, like its Victorian counterpart.
Also in Aboriginal flag news this year, the Australian Government unveiled a copyright deal at the end of January with Luritja artist Harold Thomas, who designed the symbol, to make it freely available for public use.
The Aboriginal flag is now flying permanently on the West Gate Bridge, effective since Monday, July 11.
Top image: Colin Campbell via Flickr.
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