TASMANIA

THE FLAG  All State flags, except the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory, use the Australian flag, based on the Blue Ensign, but have the particular badge of that State on the right hand side where the Southern Cross would be.  The Tasmanian flag is the Blue Ensign with the State badge. The badge consists of a red lion within a white circle. This design reflects historical ties with England. The badge was approved by the British Colonial office in It has remained largely unchanged since then. It was officially proclaimed in 1975.

COAT OF ARMS  Tasmania's Coat of Arms was granted by King George V on 21 May The shield represents Tasmanian industry: apples, a sheaf of wheat, a branch of hops, plus a ram. It is supported by two Tasmanian tigers, now extinct. Above the shield are a red lion with a front paw resting on a spade and pick axe.

MOTTO AND EMBLEMS  The motto, "Ubertas et Fidelitas", means "Fertility and Faithfulness".  Floral emblem: Tasmanian Blue Gum Animal emblem: Tasmanian Devil (unofficial) and Yellow Wattlebird

BADGE Like all other Australian States, the Tasmanian flag has the Union Jack in the top left-hand corner and the State badge to the right, on a dark blue background. It is twice as wide as it is deep. The badge depicts a red lion within a white circle. Although the reason for the design is not clear, it suggests historical ties with England and was approved by the British Colonial Office on 29 November It has remained largely unchanged since except for a slight modification to the lion when the flag was officially proclaimed as the State flag by Governor Sir Stanley Burbury on 3 December A motion was passed in the House of Assembly in November 1997 recommending legislation to prevent any alteration to the flag without approval at a referendum. Such legislation has yet to be introduced.

MINERAL  Crocoite is an unusual orange-red lead mineral which can be beautiful and colourful. The main source of quality specimens is the Dundas district on the west coast of Tasmania. The crystals there are usually long thin prisms, however large crystals from this locality have been scarce in the past thirty years. It was proclaimed as the State mineral in 2000.

FLORAL EMBLEM  The Tasmanian Flowering Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) was identified and named by a French naturalist, Labillardiere, in It may grow to over 60 metres in height and is most common in southern and eastern Tasmania although some examples are found on the Bass Strait islands and in southern Victoria. Its timber is highly valued for its strength and durability.  The Tasmanian Blue Gum is protected in areas under State control, such as national parks and crown land, and may not be removed without permission. It was proclaimed as the State floral emblem on 5 December 1962.

ANIMAL EMBLEM  The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisi) is Australia's largest living carnivorous marsupial (previously it was the thylacine,or Tasmanian Tiger, now presumed extinct) and, since it's extinction from the mainland at least 600 years ago, it is found exclusively on the island state of Tasmania. Since 1941 it has been a protected species but a (presumed) new and contagious disease is threatening the population's long term viability Length mm (f-m), weight 7-9kg (f-m), life span 6 years in the wild, longer in captivity.