The Torres Strait Islander Flag

History

The Torres Strait Islander Flag was created as a symbol of unity and identity for Torres Strait Islander peoples, designed by the late Bernard Namok, then a 15 year old school student from Thursday Island. It was the winning entry from a design competition held as a part of a Cultural Revival Workshop, organized by The Islands Co-ordinating Council in January 1992. It was recognised by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in June 1992 and given equal prominence with the Aboriginal flag.

In July 1995, it was recognised by the Australian Government as an official ‘Flag of Australia’ under the Flags Act 1953.

Symbolic Meaning

Each part of the flag is designed to represent something about Torres Strait Island culture.

  • • Green: Represents the land.
  • • Blue: Represents the sea.
  • • White: Represents peace.
  • • Black: Represents the Indigenous people.

The dhari (headdress) represents Torres Strait Island people and the five pointed star represents the 5 major Island groups. The star also represents navigation, as a symbol of the seafaring culture of the Torres Strait.

The Island Co-ordinating council also chose the design as its simplicity would allow each Torres Strait community to incorporate their own emblem into the design for local identification.