According to Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, the Junee community may be the most patriotic in Australia.
At a special ceremony on Monday (2 September), 18 Junee Shire community groups received the Australian flag and other nationhood materials from Mr McCormack.
The ceremony was held in collaboration with the Junee Community Network.
“The presentation coincides with Australian National Flag Day, which is held on 3 September every year,” Mr McCormack said.
“My office had received a significant number of requests from Junee community groups for nationhood material, so it was logical that a special presentation ceremony was organised.
“I am proud to represent a community which takes such pride in our Australian national flag.”
The community groups were also presented with a portrait of King Charles, which became available recently.
“My office has had a significant number of requests for a portrait of the King,” Mr McCormack said.
“I am delighted these have now been made available for my office to distribute to those who request one.”
Australian National Flag Day was established on 3 September 1996 to celebrate the first time the flag was flown in 1901.
On that day, Prime Minister Edmund Barton announced the winners of a national flag design competition.
The winning flag, known as the Commonwealth blue ensign, was flown over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne, which was then home to our national parliament.
“Our national flag has been with us in war and peace, in good times and during the tough challenges that our nation has faced, which have all contributed to forging the beautiful and resilient country I am proud to call home,” Mr McCormack said.