The Sunburnt Flag

about

the sunburnt FLAG

INSPIRED BY CATHY FREEMAN

At the 1994 Commonwealth Games – carrying the flags together

DISCOVERED: 1996 BY STEPHEN BERRY

I asked the Aboriginal and Australian Flags how they could be mates.

After too many years in the Aussie Sun the Union Jack has melted, Into the colours of the Earth, the Sky and the Stars. (Like any POM left in the Aussie Sun too long).

The Aussie ANZAC Rising Sun has joined our flags.

FIRST RAISED 1998 – CIRCULAR QUAY

Top photo – Rising Sun motif in floor of ANZAC memorial – Hyde Park Sydney.

Peace Prize winners at end of SORRY DAY 2000 BRIDGEWALK with Sunburnt Flags, Aboriginal Flag & Australian Flag

inspiration

A defining moment in our nation’s history of our shared identity occurred at the 1994 Commonwealth Games with Cathy Freeman carrying Aboriginal & Australian flags together, against decrees of officialdom.

At the Sydney 2000 Olympics – “The Best Games Ever,” Cathy lit the unique Olympic flame with all our hopes and dreams. She embodied a nation’s pride – striding out to win Gold in the Women’s 400 metres, flags aloft together in triumph.

The photo of Cathy and the Flame was taken by a Chinese Aussie photographer colleague and presented to Cathy’s mum Cecelia at the Sydney Baha’i Temple by Stephen Berry, in thanks for her Inspiration of our Nation and the inclusive Sunburnt Flag