Watching the Bejing Olympics
it's sometimes difficult to
distinguish between the British
and Australian flags.

I feel that's it's time that we
had a distinct flag of our own.

For example, the Australian flag could
retain the Southern Cross but it could
be rotated at 65 degrees, and the big
star of the States enlarged two fold
could be moved in place of the Union Jack.
It would still be Australian and recognisable.

I noticed that in these Olympics for most
countries the athlete's uniforms reflect
the colours of their National Flags.
Australian colours are and always have been
green and gold.

That's another possibility. Perhaps our new
flag could be green and gold, with a dark
green background and gold stars.

I'd be interested to get some creative responses
regarding this topic.

Nah.

Goad 'em.

Bait 'em.

Confuse 'em.

Up the Union, Jack.

Only next step you could take is adopt a new flag entirely: White cross on a white background would be most appropriate if any alteration at all was to be approved.

Besides which, there is frequently an auditory aid accompanying the appearance of the flag: Advance Australia Fair.

You'd have to change that to white noise if you changed the flag.

Strange how some want us to keep our flag.
Talking of those who died for it.
Ignoring the fact it has been different flags.
And ignoring the fact changing the flag is nothing to do with Britain.
Change the flag please change it.
Change our anthem too.
I test my royalist brother with distant shots of the kiwi flag he often gets it wrong.

And no smart remarks about me having shown my colours, either, Foxy.

I may have just shown you yours, however!

Just by way of background information (as one cannot divorce one's parents) be advised:

My paternal grandfather was born in Australia.

My father was born in Australia.

I was born in Australia.

None of us were 'career' servicemen (not that that is to imply anything derogatory about career defence force personnel).

My grandfather had a four digit regimental number.

My father had a five digit (RAAF) regimental number.

I had a seven digit regimental number.

Between us we had 17 years service in the forces.

Yet not one of us served Australia for a single day.

The person we all served is the same one all Commonwealth Parliamentarians swear to serve to this day, a person identified in the Schedule to the Constitution. A Queen, a King, a Queen, respectively, in our particular cases.

Would I march under your flag? Not on my life!

A proposed future quick citizenship test for able-bodied males claiming to be Australian, to which all should reflexively be able to answer: What is/was your regimental number?

A good test? You bet your life.

Sexist? Not intentionally. Girls can get one too, if they wish. Just shouldn't be obliged to have one. Vivienne Bulwinkle would have had one.

PS for Belly: "Ignoring the fact it has been different flags."

Only different with respect to the background colour to the three stellar quadrants. It (the national ensign) started out red (the 'red duster'), changed to blue in 1953, I think. For a while both were used interchangeably. I suppose you could have a sporting ensign with a green background and yellow stars, if you really, really must. Under IOC rules it would still have to be the national ensign displayed at the Olympics.

But what is it they say? 'Blue and green should never be seen'

And mistaking the New Zealand flag for the Australian shouldn't get you shot, should it! Besides, have you asked the Kiwis at Bondi what they think?

All I am trying to do is get some
logical, creative, dialog going
here. This is not meant to be
any sort of an attack on
our past proud heritage.

We are no longer a British colony,
and our national identity should reflect
that in this day and age.

But, if you think we should remain
a colony, that's your choice, and
by all means keep the flag as it is
with the British thumb over it.

CONT'D

If we look at most past British colonies,
they've established their own identity
in their flags, for example, Canada, India,
Malaysia,to name a few.

I'm not suggesting that we change the flag
completely, just remove the British symbol.

Our National Anthem used to be, "God Save
The Queen." Today its, "Advance Australia
Fair." Isn't it time that we matched our
flag to our Anthem. Afterall, how can we
"Advance Australia Fair," if the British
symbol is still there?