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City of Willoughby (NSW, Australia)

by Jonathan Dixon, 28 August 2001

Description of the Flag

See also:

Australia
New South Wales
Greater Sydney
History of the crest - from Willoughby council's site

Description of the Flag

The flag of the City of Willoughby (in Northern Sydney), has the seal in the centre of a white field and two horizontal fairly dark green lines behind it. The seal is described here, although in the flag, the outer circle containing the words is instead a solid dark green circle.
Observed: Outside council buildings on Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Jonathan Dixon, 10 March 2001

The council site mentions that the flag was first flown 12 May 1990 and explains that the flowers in the emblem are:

WARATAH - Telopea speciosissima
CHRISTMAS BELL - Blandfordia grandiflora
SYDNEY RED GUM/APPLE GUM - Angophora costata
FLANNEL FLOWER - Actinotus helianthi
NATIVE ROSE - Boronia serrulata

(The 'native rose' is commonly called boronia.) Two of the significant pioneering industries of the area are represeted in the leather belt (tanning industry) and the mural crown (brickmaking), which is also explained as representing Willoughby's status as a city, which was granted in 1989.
Jonathan Dixon, 30 July 2001

I am not certain that the belt buckle is meant to be on the flag.
Jonathan Dixon, 28 August 2001

The unique city design was proposed by local Vexillographer, John Vaughan in 1989. It features the wild flowers of Willoughby, versions of which have been used to represent the Willoughby district since 1867. The flag was adopted by Council in 1990. The green band encircling the flowers signifies the unity of purpose of the people of Willoughby. On 12 May 1990, during celebrations marking the granting of city status, the flag was officially "broken-out" by Mayor Noel Reidy in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales, Justice Murray Gleeson (standing-in for H E The Governor, Sir David Martin who was terminally ill). The two green, horizontal stripes, divide the flag into five bars representing the number of Wards in City the at the time. The red Civic or Mural Crown is an heraldic symbol representing city status of Willoughby which was previously a municipality. To encourage interest in the history and heritage of Willoughby and the important role of Local government, Council has issued the flag to all schools in the City. All residents are entitled to fly or display the flag of Willoughby. The Civic crown was officially added to the Willoughby crest at a meeting of Council in February 1990 though lively debate on the subject continued until October of that year. The crown consists of masonary or stones representing the imaginary wall surrounding and protecting the City.

References: North Shore Times, 6 Dec 1989, "Flag Man Plans for New City"
" 4 Apr 1990, "Flag's Trial Run"
" 15 Aug 1990, "Student's Raise The New Flag"
" 20 Oct 1990, "Crown Causes Council Chaos"
" 31 Oct 1990, "Crown has a place on Crest", Letter to Editor from John Vaughan
" 28 Nov 1990, "Castle in Round Table Debate"
Willoughby Legion Ex-Services Club News (journal) Aug/Sep 1990, "The Willoughby City Flag"
John Vaughan, 22 January 2004