36 replies to this topic

[Brother Fox]

Questin is in the title, but it bugs me everytime i see it (which wasnt enough this season ).

http://www.autosport...php/id/13289344

The Australian flag is facing away from the people, ie we see the back of it. As far as I can work out the German is too, but not the British?

Its more obvious because of the layout of the Aussie only having one right way with 3 separate items (the union jack, the big star and the small stars - yes i know their names but a lot of people wouldnt know what the federation star is), where as the German/UK is more symetrical.

So a quick scroll back to find a decent pic of the Spanish flag on the podium (which again has only one right way) shows that it is hung the way I would expect them to be.
http://www.autosport...php/id/13277847

Im not precious about flags, but I figure they'd be some protocol about how they do it, given everything else about the podium is done with military precision.

[joshb]

Questin is in the title, but it bugs me everytime i see it (which wasnt enough this season ).

http://www.autosport...php/id/13289344

The Australian flag is facing away from the people, ie we see the back of it. As far as I can work out the German is too, but not the British?

Its more obvious because of the layout of the Aussie only having one right way with 3 separate items (the union jack, the big star and the small stars - yes i know their names but a lot of people wouldnt know what the federation star is), where as the German/UK is more symetrical.

So a quick scroll back to find a decent pic of the Spanish flag on the podium (which again has only one right way) shows that it is hung the way I would expect them to be.
http://www.autosport...php/id/13277847

Im not precious about flags, but I figure they'd be some protocol about how they do it, given everything else about the podium is done with military precision.

Take your s**t stars off our flag!

But agree with the military precision, they tell the drivers to hurry up and then can't put a flag the right way

[OldSoldier]

Why do the show us the back of the Australian flag?

In English please! Or correct your spelling. Hard to take serious.

[Brother Fox]

http://www.merriam-w...dictionary/typo


If you cant work it out then I doubt youre going to be able to add anything to help me.

[Nonesuch]

A similar issue sparked a thread on these forums after the Spanish Grand Prix last year: 'F1: Spainish [sic] GP - Flags back to front on podium!'. It's likely that this is yet another case of Hanlon's razor, i.e. "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity".

[karne]

You're right - it is something I've noticed, the back-to-front flag. It annoys the crap out of me, too - almost as much as when they cut the last line off AAF during 2009. (If you watch the podium ceremony for Germany and Brazil that year, the last two lines of AAF - the second refrain of "In joyful strains then let us sing/Advance Australia Fair" was cut off.)

I think it's a bit weak, really. They could at least make sure the flag is presented properly.

[Alfisti]

It doesn't really matter given we have another flag on our flag. Until that absurdity ends we'll focus on em hangin it right.

[karne]

It doesn't really matter given we have another flag on our flag. Until that absurdity ends we'll focus on em hangin it right.

I don't mind the Union Jack. It's part of our history.

Someone will suffer if we ever get rid of the Southern Cross, however.

[V8 Fireworks]

Take your s**t stars off our flag!

But agree with the military precision, they tell the drivers to hurry up and then can't put a flag the right way

This flag is better, and it is simple like a proper flag (or helmet design) should be... it is a proper flag that a 5-year old could draw (like the French, Italian etc ones). 5-year olds struggle to draw the complex stars on the Australian flag. This flag on the other hand is for the original (specifically, true) owners of "Terra Australis" or "Van Dieman's Land":
http://www.ausflag.c...u/images/ab.gif


Anyhow, we make do with this flag as a "second" flag and Waltzing Matilda as a "second" anthem, even though they are far superior to the official ones. Wealth of choice.

Edited by V8 Fireworks, 28 November 2011 - 02:43.

[V8 Fireworks]

Im not precious about flags, but I figure they'd be some protocol about how they do it, given everything else about the podium is done with military precision.

At least they didn't play "Happy Birthday" instead of the national anthem.

BTW, severe copyright restrictions are enforced on that tune... please pay up your royalties.;)

[karne]

This flag is better, and it is simple like a proper flag (or helmet design) should be... it is a proper flag that a 5-year old could draw (like the French, Italian etc ones). 5-year olds struggle to draw the complex stars on the Australian flag. This flag on the other hand is for the original (specifically, true) owners of "Terra Australis" or "Van Dieman's Land":
http://www.ausflag.c...u/images/ab.gif


Anyhow, we make do with this flag as a "second" flag and Waltzing Matilda as a "second" anthem, even though they are far superior to the official ones. Wealth of choice.

1. The original Aboriginal people considered themselves guardians and custodians of this land, not owners. The "owners" thing is a relatively recent development agitated by people who would rather see a divide remain between Australians.

2. I have yet to meet a five year old who cannot make a rough approximation of our flag - and I have met a LOT of five year olds, which is par for the course when you do practical experience in a preschool and kindergarten class. Because a five year old would be unable to correctly reproduce the coat of arms on the Spanish flag, should the Spaniards change theirs? Because a five year old gets confused about the order of colours on the German flag, should the Germans change theirs? I am 23 for heaven's sake and I still get confused about the order of colours on the French and Italian flags.

3. I have no objection to royal blue with white stars. And like it or not, the Union Jack represents part of our history. You may not like it but it is the TRUTH.

4. Waltzing Matilda is NOT an anthem. It is a folk song. A rather nice one, but it is not an anthem, and nor should it be. Waltzing Maltilda was actually presented as an option when the referendum was held to determine Australia's national anthem. Advance Australia Fair STILL WON.


Sometimes I feel like I'm the only Australian in the world who actually likes our flag and our anthem.

[Brother Fox]

Thanks Nonesuch, pretty similar sentiment there - but it also seems no resolution. Although they've corrected the Spanish now it seems.
I reckon there'd be an enormous shitstorm if someone hung the US flag in a similar way?



And V8 Fireworks: True owners? Seriously? Thats the type of crap that keeps a divide existing.

[slideways]

That flag is horrible Fireworks. Maybe if we had lost the war and become German-Japanese.

I prefer the Eureka Flag or just a Southern Cross on a field of blue.

Edited by slideways, 28 November 2011 - 03:07.

[Redback]

Someone came up with this a couple of years ago:



It retains the Federation Star and the Southern Cross and replaces the Union Jack with a stylised kangaroo in similar colours.

As a post-republic compromise (you'd never please everyone) I quite like it.

[karne]

I like that one, although less straight lines on the "kangaroo" (to make it look more like a kangaroo) would be nice. Maybe shift the Federation star back into its proper position.

I love your sig by the way.

[alfa1]

I don't mind the Union Jack. It's part of our history.
Someone will suffer if we ever get rid of the Southern Cross, however.

At least the Union Jack is part of the history of Australia,
but some stars in the sky that can be seen by about 70 percent of the planet has nothing whatsoever to do with this specific country.

[Redback]

I like that one, although less straight lines on the "kangaroo" (to make it look more like a kangaroo) would be nice. Maybe shift the Federation star back into its proper position.

I love your sig by the way.

I think the straight lines in the stylised 'roo were to provide a link to the elements of the Union Jack (gotta keep the RSL happy!) and the Federation Star was placed dead in the centre of the flag to convey its heightened significance to the nation.

Still, there's probably twenty variations...

[Zippel]

This flag is better, and it is simple like a proper flag (or helmet design) should be... it is a proper flag that a 5-year old could draw (like the French, Italian etc ones). 5-year olds struggle to draw the complex stars on the Australian flag. This flag on the other hand is for the original (specifically, true) owners of "Terra Australis" or "Van Dieman's Land":
http://www.ausflag.c...u/images/ab.gif


Anyhow, we make do with this flag as a "second" flag and Waltzing Matilda as a "second" anthem, even though they are far superior to the official ones. Wealth of choice.

The original creators (and copyrighters) of the Aboriginal flag have made it perfectly clear its a representation of their people, not the whole of Australia.

Waltzing Matilda would make a terrible anthem for this country and it leaves me dumbfounded many Australians think its even worth considering. Its about sheep thieving and suicide for ****'s sake.

[Redback]

At least the Union Jack is part of the history of Australia,
but some stars in the sky that can be seen by about 70 percent of the planet has nothing whatsoever to do with this specific country.

To be honest, the Southern Cross signifies our position on the globe. While 70% of the planet can see the Crux at certain times, only from the Southern Hemisphere can it be viewed during the whole year.

Yes, other countries use it on their flags too (New Zealand, Papua New Guinea; Samoa; Brazil) but that doesn't mean we shouldn't or that it isn't culturally significant.

[Brother Fox]

So this is why the question never got resolved before, mention flags to Australian's and we run off on keep it/change it rants (or union jack/flag).
I have the feeling this will be quashed by the mods before anything resembling an answer comes out.

Surely if the combined knowldge of this board can identify some fat annoying DJ someone has to have a hint as to why?

[Cenotaph]

Some flags have rules when displayed vertically, for instance the United States flag must always have the stars on the left upper corner, so they flip the flag when hang like that. I'm guessing they assumed it was the same with australian flag.

german, btw, is correct, a quick google search shows that when vertical the black must be on the left side, even if it is the upper band in the horizontal version. This doesn't happen that often btw, so in this case the guys at the Brazil GP got a flag right that is wrong in many other GP's

edit: AND as it turns out the australian flag is actually like the US flag, union jack should be on the left. so they are right: http://www.flagaustn...au/protocol.php

Edited by Cenotaph, 28 November 2011 - 05:29.

[Brother Fox]

Snaps for Cenotaph

Was just about to post what I found based on your comment
In the case of the Australian national flag, the Union jack should be seen in the top left quarter of the flag.
from http://www.australia...es/flaguse.aspx

Although it makes sense from a consistency point of view - you have to admit it looks dicky.

[krapmeister]

Someone came up with this a couple of years ago:



It retains the Federation Star and the Southern Cross and replaces the Union Jack with a stylised kangaroo in similar colours.

As a post-republic compromise (you'd never please everyone) I quite like it.

The stylised kangaroo is someone recycling the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games logo.

Wonder if there was an Expo88 version as well...

Edited by krapmeister, 28 November 2011 - 09:56.

[Red17]

I dont see much of a trouble, it's a small detail, they can always claim it was alright for anyone at the back of the podium.

Didnt someone use an irish flag for Irvine in Monza?

[Rob]

Sometimes they hang the Union Flag upside down, which really bugs me.

It's not that difficult! It really isn't! The FIA have a master of podium ceremony, or whatever he's called - you know, the one that lines all the grid girls up ready to applaud the winner - it should be his responsibility to ensure that the flags are hanging correctly.

[krapmeister]

Well, he's got his hands full lining up the grid girls - couldn't possibly spare a moment more...

[Grayson]

It could be worse...

After Vettel's first win for Red Bull they played the wrong national anthem!

[Rob]

It could be worse...

After Vettel's first win for Red Bull they played the wrong national anthem!

I think Alessandro Nannini might have had the wrong anthem once. Someone definitely did.

[tifosiMac]

The Australian flag is facing away from the people, ie we see the back of it. As far as I can work out the German is too, but not the British?

The British flag is facing backwards but you just can't tell because its symmetrical lol

[Fastcake]

The British flag is facing backwards but you just can't tell because its symmetrical lol ;)

Is it?

[tifosiMac]

Is it?

Do you care?;)

[Cenotaph]

As I've noted, all flags were displayed correctly yesterday, including the british flag, which is also flipped when vertical ;) (and no, it's not symmetrical)

[tifosiMac]

(and no, it's not symmetrical)

I'm glad my obvious tongue in cheek remark needed explaining by those who got it..;)

[faaaz]

Maybe they want it to face the rest of the race track where majority of the fans are? (if the majority is there) ****, who knows

[johnmhinds]

Interesting site with some info on the Australian flag protocol:
http://www.flagsfant...l/protocol.html

Seems the flag was shown the right way, Union Jack goes to the top left when the flag is hung sideways.

[sumpthy]

This flag is better, and it is simple like a proper flag (or helmet design) should be... it is a proper flag that a 5-year old could draw (like the French, Italian etc ones). 5-year olds struggle to draw the complex stars on the Australian flag.

Try being Welsh and having to draw our flag in school.

[faaaz]

Interesting site with some info on the Australian flag protocol:
http://www.flagsfant...l/protocol.html

Seems the flag was shown the right way, Union Jack goes to the top left when the flag is hung sideways.

Nice, solved the mystery.