Commonwealth Flag Network

National Sorry Day: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
National Reconciliation Week: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 to Wednesday, 3 June 2026

National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. National Reconciliation Week is a time for Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. Further information about National Reconciliation…

The Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet advises that a State Funeral Service for the Honourable Norman Henry Lacy will take place at 11.00 am on Tuesday 19 May 2026 at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Camberwell, Victoria. 

Norman was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 1973, representing both Ringwood and Warrandyte. During his time in Parliament, Norman served as Assistant Minister of Education (1979-1981), Minister for the Arts (1979-1982), and Minister of Educational Services (1981-1982). 

Norman oversaw the construction of the Victorian Arts Centre and the…

The Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet advises that a State Funeral Service for the Honourable Robert Ian Knowles AO will take place at 10.30 am on Friday 15 May 2026 at the Cathedral Church of Christ the King, Ballarat, Victoria. 

Rob was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 1976, representing the Ballarat Province in the Victorian Legislative Council until 1999. He held several senior ministerial roles as Minister for Housing (1992–1996), Minister for Aged Care (1992–1999), and Minister for Health (1996–1999). 

Following his parliamentary career, Rob…

Anzac Day is a day of special significance to Australians, particularly for our serving military personnel and returned veterans. 

In accordance with Australian flag protocol, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast on Saturday, 25 April 2026, from dawn until noon in your locality, at which time the flag should be raised to the peak of the flag mast for the remainder of the day. This advice applies to buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to…

A State Memorial Service for Ms Loraine Braham will take place at 11.00 am on Thursday 23 April 2026 at the Alice Springs Convention Centre, Alice Springs, Northern Territory. 

Ms Braham served as a Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for the electorate of Braitling from 1994 to 2008, making history as the first woman elected to the Assembly from Central Australia. Ms Braham held the office of Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on two occasions, from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2005, becoming the first woman to serve as Speaker.…

Commonwealth Day is celebrated every year by the 56 Commonwealth member countries on the second Monday in March. This year it falls on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2026 is 'Unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth.'

Further information about Commonwealth Day is available on the Commonwealth website.

In accordance with Australian flag protocol, all Australian Government departments and associated portfolio agencies should fly or display the Australian National Flag…

The Northern Territory Government has requested half-masting of flags in the Northern Territory to mark the 84th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

On 19 February 1942, mainland Australia came under attack for the first time. Japanese forces mounted two air raids on Darwin, which involved land based bombers and approximately 188 attack aircraft that were launched from four Japanese aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea. Killing more than 230 Allied service personnel and civilians, the attacks devastated the city. Military aircraft were lost, eight…

The Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet advises that a State Memorial Service for the Honourable Edward ‘Ted’ Joseph Egan AO will be held at 10:00 am (ACST) on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the Alice Springs Convention Centre, Alice Springs, Northern Territory. 

Mr Egan, served as Administrator of the Northern Territory from 2003 to 2007. His leadership was complemented by his lifelong dedication to advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As one of the founding members of the National Reconciliation Council, Mr Egan…

On 13 February 2008 the Australian Parliament made a formal apology to members of the Stolen Generations. To recognise the anniversary of the occasion and in national recognition of First Nations Australians, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag should be flown on additional flagpoles, where available, next to or near the Australian National Flag on Australian Government buildings and establishments all day on Friday, 13 February 2026. 

If there is only one flagpole available at a flag station, the Australian Aboriginal Flag or the…

A State Funeral for Professor the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO will be held at St James’ Church, King Street, Sydney on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 at 10:30am.

The service will celebrate the remarkable life of Dame Marie, who served as the first female Governor of New South Wales from 2001 to 2014, bringing to the role immense dignity and compassion.

In 2014, Dame Marie was made a Dame of the Order of Australia for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to the administration, public life, and people of New South Wales, to medicine, particularly as…