Text4. The Coat of Arms of Australia

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Text4.The Coat of Arms of Australia

The coat of arms of Australia is the official symbol of Australia. The initial coat of arms was granted by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908. In the top half, from left to right, the states represented are: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. In the bottom half, from left to right are South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Above the shield is the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star or the Star of Federation. In its entirety the shield represents the federation of Australia. The Red Kangaroo and Emu that support the shield are the unofficial animal emblems of the nation. They owe this recognition to the fact that they are native Australian animals. These animals were chosen because neither animal move backward, only forward - which means progress. In reality both animals can move backwards, but infrequently do. At the bottom of the coat of arms is a scroll that contains the name of the nation. The coat of arms is used to identify Australian government authority and property.

Text 5. The Flag of New Zealand

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Text 5. The Flag of New Zealand

New Zealand's first flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted before New Zealand became a British colony. Chosen by an assembly of Māori chiefs in 1834, the flag was of a St George's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field. After the formation of the colony in 1841, British ensigns began to be used. The current flag was designed and adopted for restricted use in 1869 and became the national flag in 1902. It is the British Blue Ensign representing the Southern Cross with four brightest stars in the constellation. Each star varies slightly in size. The stars represent the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross. The Union Flag in the canton recalls New Zealand's colonial ties to Britain.

Text 6. The Coat of Arms of New Zealand

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Text 6. The Coat of Arms of New Zealand

The coat of arms of New Zealand is the official symbol of New Zealand. The initial coat of arms was granted byKing George V on the 26 August 1911, and the current version was granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956. Until 1911, New Zealand used the same national coat of arms as the United Kingdom. When New Zealand became a Dominion in 1907, it was decided that a new Coat of Arms was required, and a design competition was held. The winning entry was a design by James McDonald, a draughtsman in the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. The central shield has a quartered shield with different symbols of the country. Thus, four stars represent the Southern Cross constellation, a golden fleece stands for the farming industry; a wheat sheaf embodies agriculture; and two hammers are for mining and industry. Over all these there is a broad vertical strip, with three ships representing the importance of sea trade, and the immigrant nature of all New Zealanders.