Townsville City Council will add colour to the celebrations for our Centenary of Federation with a number of events planned for next year. It was in Townsville on 16 September 1901 that the Australian flag was, for the first time, hoisted to a masthead by our inaugural Governor General, Lord Hopetoun.
After Australia officially becoming a nation in May 1901, a competition was held to design the flag.
Announced on 3 September 1901, Ivor Evans, a Sydney schoolboy won the competition.
With the Governor General due to visit Townsville on 16 September, local sailmaker, William McKenzie, came up with the idea for the first official raising of the flag.
Working overtime the flag was completed by 14 September and two days later, amid great fanfare and with most of the town’s residents turning out, the official unfurling took place.
During Jubilee celebrations in 1951, Townsville’s celebration committee organised a re-enactment of the first raising of the flag.
Townsville City Council will again commemorate this important event on the 100th anniversary of the occasion on 16 September 2001.
William McKenzie donated his flag to the Council of the then Municipality of Townsville. Later, it was presented to the Queensland Historical Society. A replica of the first flag is on display at Council Chambers.
Other celebratory events planned for the Centenary of Federation include a five day festival in August 2001 which will feature military personnel, cultural activities and community groups.
