National Colours
Nathan Eglington Kookaburra Australian Hockey Team in green and gold. Photo - Alan Hill 2004, Australian Sports Commission
Australia’s national colours are green and gold.
About the national colours
Long associated with Australian sporting achievements, the national colours have strong environmental connections. Gold conjures images of the country’s beaches, mineral wealth, grain harvests and the fleece of Australian wool. Green evokes the forests, gum trees and pastures of the Australian landscape.
Green and gold are the colours of Australia’s national Floral emblem – the golden wattle.
History
Since the late 1800s green and gold have been popularly accepted as the national sporting colours, both locally and around the world.
In 1984 green and gold were formally recognised as the national colours. The Government’s decision was prompted by widespread community support for official recognition of the time-honoured green and gold.
Prior to 1984 three colour combinations unofficially represented Australia:
- red, white and blue
- blue and gold, and
- green and gold.
Red, white and blue are the colours of the Australian National Flag and the first version of the Commonwealth Coat Of Arms.
Blue and gold have heraldic significance as the colour of the wreath in the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, which was granted by royal warrant in 1912.
In 1975 blue and gold were selected as the colours of the ribbon of the Order of Australia.
Proclamation
The then Governor-General, Ninian M Stephen AK GCMG GCVO KBE, proclaimed green and gold the national colours on 19 April 1984.
The proclamation is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S142.
Use of the national colours
Australians are unrestricted in their use of the national colours. Green and gold may be used in any design or arrangement
of colour, emphasising the green or gold.
To use them correctly, the two colours are placed together, unbroken by another colour.
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