farmdoc's blog post number 466

The Tasmanian Flag is a modified British Blue Ensign. The Union Jack occupies the upper left 25%, and a passant and fimbriated red lion faces the flagpole on a white disc centred in the right half of the flag. Since 1869 it’s been the Tasmanian Governor’s flag; in 1876 the then Governor proclaimed it the State’s flag; but it wasn’t officially so recognised until 3 December 1975. We Mole Creek firies, being a perverse and parochial crew, decided we’d rather have a Tasmanian flag flying over our fire station, than an Australian flag. We didn’t have a Tasmanian flag. So I volunteered to get us one. The office of our Federal MP Dick Adams told me Federal MPs supply Australian flags, and State MPs supply State flags. The staff of Heather Butler MLA was really helpful. They said we deserve a State flag, and it was Ms Butler’s privilege to get us one. On Monday 13 July Ms Butler and a member of her staff came and made the presentation. I was the only brigade member available; so she presented the flag to me. She was most personable. We chatted before and after she handed the flag over, we toured the fire station, and I showed her our two fire appliances. She was surprisingly knowledgeable about fire fighting matters. After I thanked her, we went our separate ways. We intend to fly the Tasmanian flag on our fire station flagpole 365 days per year. For this is one way to show that we’re proud Tasmanians. Thank you, Ms Butler.