What better way to show pride in your country than by flying the national flag? But did you know there are some ways of flying the flag which are offensive and disrespectful? A Moonta resident recently expressed to the Country Times how it is great to see people flying their flags but there are a few who aren’t flying them properly, particularly in North Yelta, and they need to know the proper etiquette.
“It bothers me because it is the main road into Moonta, we have visitors by the thousands and that’s what they see, it’s not good,” she said. “I think it is because we are not taught that sort of thing any more, when I was at school you were taught you put the flag up in the morning and you take it down at night, you don’t let it drag in the mud.”Kadina Primary School acting deputy principal, David Easter, said KPS takes great pride in recognising history and national obligations such as correctly flying the flag.
“The importance and significance of our national flag is recognised in our school in many ways,” he said. “It is raised and lowered daily by student monitors from one of our middle primary classes, they are aware of flag raising and lowering protocols and treat the role with respect. “On Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and days of local and national significance, our flag is raised in accordance with appropriate protocols.
“When the flag becomes unusable, as recently happened, it is replaced by the federal government — the flag is not meant to be washed.”Mr Easter said students treat the national flag with respect and at Monday morning assemblies the entire student body sings the national anthem.
“The national flag represents the country, its people, culture and history; it is important it is treated with respect and our students recognise this.”How to fly the flag
When flying the Australian flag the national emblem should be flown in a position which is befitting and not displayed with indignity or inferior to other flags. When flown in Australia the flag should be precedent to all other flags and in the air, not lying on the ground. When faded or tattered, removal and replacement of the flag should take place with a dignified approach taken to destroy the flag, preferably burning in private.
Superiority or inferiority is shown if the Australian flag is flown above or below another national flag, this means two national flags should never be flown on one staff. The flag should definitely not be used to cover objects such as tables, seats, statues, monuments or for unveiling plaques. When raising and lowering the flag all present should remain silent and face the flag, hats should be removed by males. In most cases the flag should be taken down at night unless properly illuminated. If flown in front of a building with two flag poles, the Australian flag should be on the left.