The flags of Cricket ACT and AFL Canberra will fly alongside the Australian Flag, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags over EPC Solar Park in Phillip, after receiving Federal Government funding to enhance the precinct.
Funding for the flags and the installation of four flagpoles, as well as signage comprising First Nations language around the games of cricket and Australian rules football (to be installed on two covered seating areas) was made available to Phillip Oval Management Group (POMG) via the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).
The Australian Flag and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags will fly all year round, while the flags for Cricket ACT and AFL Canberra will be flown during their respective summer and winter seasons.
The National Flags were presented to POMG and raised for the first time by Mr David Smith MP, Federal Member for Bean, at a ceremony in front of Cricket ACT and AFL Canberra staff, and POMG representatives in February.
Mr Smith said he was pleased to present the National Flags to the local bodies presiding over Australia’s national sports in Canberra and the ACT.
“It was a privilege to be able to provide the flag poles via the Stronger Communities Programme and even better to be at Phillip Oval in person to present a set of Australia’s national flags.
“Phillip Oval is a great sporting ground, but it also a highly valued community asset and the addition of the flagpoles flying our national flags only adds to this.
“My thanks go to all on the Phillip Oval Management Group, Cricket ACT and AFL Canberra for their continued work to improve this wonderful precinct.”
Newly appointed POMG Chair Michael Brady, said the installation of the flags and First Nations signage was an important addition to Phillip Oval.
“It is wonderful to see the flags of Cricket ACT and AFL Canberra flying in-season alongside the Australian Flag and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags at Phillip, and we were honoured to receive the National Flags from David in person.
“We remain focussed on improving the facility in new ways, and it's appropriate that the National Flags fly over a community asset like this one, twelve months of the year.
“These flags are a visible symbol of sporting organisations' seeking to make local community sport an inclusive environment.”
Article written by Brett McKay