411:
399:
353:
unlike the grants made to the other states and territories. Such a distinction is important, as whilst
Canberra makes up a large part of the ACT, it does not take up the entirety. Conversely, submissions suggesting the arms legitimately represent the territory as whole noted that any distinction between Canberra and the ACT is artificial or pedantic, as Canberra is not a separate legal entity, with no official borders with the rest of the ACT. The ACT government again acknowledged the ambiguity, but concluded that "the City of Canberra Coat of Arms should remain as an official symbol of the City of Canberra but there is no legal impediment to the Territory creating its own Coat of Arms."
28:
329:
453:
as the mammal emblem for the territory in 2018, an inquiry was held into the creation of new coat of arms. In 2019, the inquiry recommending either changing the
Canberra coat of arms or adopting a new territory coat of arms (depending on the legal status of the Canberra coat of arms) and changing the
366:
ARMS Azure, a triple-towered castle between in chief a sword of justice point upwards to the sinister argent pommel and hilt or surmounted by a
Parliamentary Mace head upwards to the dexter gold in saltire charged at their point of intersection with a representation of the Imperial Crown proper and
486:
and an
Indigenous symbol for a meeting place. According to the government consultation website as of May 2024, the government is currently in the process of designing an ACT coat or arms or insignia, with a public vote to be held in 2024 to select the new design, for it to be formally adopted
352:
Additionally, it is disputed whether the arms legally represent only the city of
Canberra or the wider ACT. An inquiry in 2019 heard several views on this topic. Submissions suggesting the arms are limited to the city of Canberra noted that the grant was specifically for the "City of Canberra",
294:
subsequently announced in 1927, on behalf of the
Federal Capital Commissioners (FCC), the creation of a competition for the design of the arms. 35 entries were received, with a modified version of a design by Sydney resident Charles Roxburgh Wylie selected and sent to the
348:
is the legal successor. With the grant of self-government to the ACT in 1989, it is arguable that the ACT Government is now the rightful successor to the FCC. In 2019, the ACT Government acknowledge the ambiguity, however did not conclude either way.
753:
410:
299:
in London for approval. According to the designer, one of the black swans was replaced with a white one after the
College of Arms advised that they had just approved two black swans to be the supporters for the
564:
312:. Subsequently, on 8 October 1928 the arms, without supporters or a motto was granted by royal warrant by King George V. The College of Arms issued the official exemplification (artistic rendition) and
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954:
742:
629:
935:
1162:
1004:
550:
442:
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1034:
1157:
572:
458:. Following this, in 2019 the ACT government decided to adopt a new territory coat of arms or insignia, and began to consult online with ACT residents and the
372:
CREST On a wreath of the colours in front of a gum tree issuant from the mount proper a portcullis chained or ensigned with the
Imperial Crown also proper.
291:
720:
262:
The motto is "For the King, the Law and the People", a modified
English translation of "Pro Rege, Lege et Grege". The motto is the same as that of the
976:
437:
since 1989, when the newly formed government began using the city arms. For example, it is used as the logo of the government, it is included on the
997:
455:
438:
167:
446:
644:
1044:
462:
to create the new design. In 2021, the university exhibited coats of arms designed by students. Many of these designs included depictions of
304:. The swans would now symbolise the white and Indigenous inhabitants of Canberra, much like the Aboriginal and seaman supporters on the 1928
1167:
990:
955:
ACT Government response to the
Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services: Inquiry into a Territory Coat of Arms
1182:
1177:
1172:
1069:
280:
624:
1064:
942:
538:
337:
207:
The castle symbolises the dignity, importance and grandeur of the city and is similar to the castle depicted on the arms of the
1054:
1039:
1136:
972:
223:
705:
680:
336:
With the disbanding of the FCC in 1930, it is unclear what body has legal authority over the arms. In 1932 the Australian
328:
27:
430:
159:
204:, representing national authority and the executive authority of the Commonwealth, exercised in the name of the Crown;
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483:
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126:
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130:
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SUPPORTERS On the dexter side a swan sable beaked gules and on the sinister side a white swan proper.
316:(description) on 7 November 1928. Later, the supporters and motto was granted on 9 November 1928 via
279:
The creation of the coat of arms of the city of Canberra originated in a request in July 1927 by the
496:
284:
230:
854:
820:
808:
796:
784:
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as a whole. Instead, the Canberra coat of arms have been used to represent the territory and the
215:
79:
183:
65:
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which "represents the growth and progress of Canberra, and the fact that it is garden city";
201:
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43:
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Our People. Our Symbols. Our Future: Designing a Coat of Arms or Emblem for the ACT
838:
Our People. Our Symbols. Our Future: Designing a Coat of Arms or Emblem for the ACT
83:
934:
Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services (August 2019).
463:
256:
879:
670:
248:
241:
97:
49:
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367:
in base a rose also argent barbed and seeded proper (being the Rose of York).
695:
429:
As of May 2024, there is no separate and distinct coat of arms for the
101:
91:
833:
147:
53:
162:(ACT) gained self-government, the arms began to be used by newly formed
855:
Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services 2019
821:
Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services 2019
809:
Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services 2019
797:
Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services 2019
785:
Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services 2019
332:
Original design for the coat of arms of Canberra, before modification
313:
78:(with a silver blade and a gold pommel and hilt) crossed with a gold
71:
361:
The blazon (formal heraldic description) of the arms is as follows:
226:, thus establishing Canberra as the nation's new seat of government;
327:
109:
57:
704:. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. p. 4 – via
233:, thereby linking Canberra with the then "virtual capital of the
308:. The FCC also stated that the white swan was suggestive of the
986:
768:
766:
166:. A modified version of this coat of arms also appears on the
602:
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
445:
and is depicted on the outside and inside the chamber of the
283:
for a coat of arms to be used on the newly commissioned ship
178:
The various symbols of the coat of arms are explained below:
630:
Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory
416:
Exemplification of the grant of supporters for the arms
193:
The mace symbolises the law making authority of the
1129:
1078:
1027:
218:, to recognise the role of the Duke of York (later
118:
108:
90:
64:
42:
34:
20:
425:Proposed Australian Capital Territory coat of arms
750:The Australian Heraldry Society Member's Circular
158:and their successors". In 1989, a year after the
144:coat of arms of the Australian Capital Territory
721:"[Royal warrant for the grant of arms]"
363:
866:
772:
998:
679:. Victoria, Australia. p. 6 – via
645:"Parliament and the new Federal capital 1927"
229:The portcullis is taken from the arms of the
8:
975:on the adoption of Canberra's coat of arms (
404:Exemplification of the initial grant of arms
1163:Symbols of the Australian Capital Territory
565:"Should there be a Territory Coat of Arms?"
539:"Armorial Bearings of the City of Canberra"
382:MOTTO For the King, the Law and the People.
1005:
991:
983:
292:Department of Home Affairs and Territories
70:A blue shield containing a triple towered
26:
533:
531:
529:
527:
525:
523:
521:
519:
517:
449:. However, following the adoption of the
168:flag of the Australian Capital Territory
513:
441:, it appears on all acts passed by the
394:
182:The crown symbolises the authority of
17:
936:Inquiry into a Territory Coat of Arms
592:
590:
7:
1158:Municipal coats of arms in Australia
619:
617:
615:
472:southern brush-tailed rock wallabies
259:, representing European Australians;
114:For the King, the Law and the People
21:Coat of arms of the City of Canberra
553:from the original on 20 March 2019.
82:under a crown. Below the castle, a
741:Kingman-Sugars, Geoff (May 2013).
451:southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby
281:Commonwealth Department of Defence
247:The supporters are the Australian
14:
340:to London sought advice from the
100:with a red beak. On the right, a
943:Legislative Assembly for the ACT
759:from the original on 2 May 2024.
752:. No. 159. pp. 11–13.
409:
397:
571:. 21 March 2019. Archived from
973:National Archives of Australia
1:
706:National Library of Australia
681:National Library of Australia
447:Legislative Assembly building
156:Federal Capital Commissioners
1035:Australian Capital Territory
431:Australian Capital Territory
160:Australian Capital Territory
154:in 1928, to be used by "the
1168:Coats of arms with sceptres
728:Australian Heraldry Society
719:George V (8 October 1928).
694:Mowle, P C (20 June 1929).
240:Behind the portcullis is a
1199:
1013:Coats of arms of Australia
669:Wylie, C R (10 May 1929).
625:"Symbols of our democracy"
1183:Coats of arms with crowns
1178:Coats of arms with swords
1021:Commonwealth of Australia
1018:
880:"Creative Work Shortlist"
344:, which advised that the
255:, and the European white
25:
1173:Coats of arms with birds
971:Documents stored by the
569:ACT Legislative Assembly
140:coat of arms of Canberra
127:ACT Legislative Assembly
649:Parliament of Australia
598:"ACT Flags and Emblems"
346:Commonwealth Government
264:city of Perth, Scotland
195:Parliament of Australia
188:Commonwealth Government
1028:States and territories
906:Your Say Conversations
888:University of Canberra
842:University of Canberra
743:"The Arms of Canberra"
460:University of Canberra
385:
333:
310:white Australia policy
253:Aboriginal Australians
200:The sword depicts the
482:, representations of
331:
146:) was granted to the
131:ACT Magistrates Court
1130:External territories
443:Legislative Assembly
224:Old Parliament House
222:) in the opening of
214:The white rose is a
902:"Territory emblems"
867:ACT Government 2019
773:ACT Government 2019
608:. 27 February 2023.
508:Specific references
497:Australian heraldry
468:gang-gang cockatoos
306:Sydney Coat of Arms
231:city of Westminster
170:, adopted in 1993.
142:(also known as the
1045:Northern Territory
928:General references
857:, pp. 30, 74.
701:The Canberra Times
633:. 21 October 2020.
575:on 6 November 2019
334:
302:Perth Coat of Arms
216:White Rose of York
80:parliamentary mace
1145:
1144:
1070:Western Australia
977:NAA: A1, 1932/215
953:(November 2019).
823:, pp. 21–22.
787:, pp. 11–15.
696:"Canberra's Arms"
671:"Canberra's Arms"
549:. November 2008.
487:later that year.
338:High Commissioner
136:
135:
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811:, p. 17–18.
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484:Parliament House
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389:Exemplifications
202:sword of justice
148:City of Canberra
76:sword of justice
30:
18:
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1189:
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1055:South Australia
1040:New South Wales
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912:
900:
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869:, pp. 3–4.
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480:Federation Star
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342:College of Arms
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297:College of Arms
277:
268:Ponsonby family
251:, representing
176:
96:On the left, a
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5:
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1137:Norfolk Island
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966:External links
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951:ACT Government
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606:ACT Government
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476:royal bluebell
435:ACT government
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220:King George VI
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209:city of Exeter
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56:, topped by a
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38:8 October 1928
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86:(white rose).
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52:, covering a
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29:
24:
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16:
913:. Retrieved
905:
896:
890:. June 2021.
883:
874:
862:
850:
844:. June 2021.
837:
828:
816:
804:
792:
780:
775:, p. 3.
749:
736:
727:
714:
699:
689:
674:
664:
652:. Retrieved
648:
639:
628:
601:
577:. Retrieved
573:the original
568:
559:
542:
464:bogong moths
428:
381:
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364:
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351:
335:
324:Legal status
286:
278:
177:
143:
139:
137:
84:rose of york
15:
543:ArchivesACT
1152:Categories
1050:Queensland
941:(Report).
676:The Herald
579:6 November
503:References
249:black swan
98:black swan
92:Supporters
74:beneath a
50:portcullis
1111:Melbourne
960:(Report).
257:mute swan
174:Symbolism
102:mute swan
1096:Canberra
1091:Brisbane
1086:Adelaide
1065:Victoria
1060:Tasmania
915:30 April
754:Archived
654:30 April
551:Archived
491:See also
456:ACT flag
439:ACT flag
287:Canberra
266:and the
242:gum tree
184:the King
54:gum tree
834:"About"
275:History
186:in the
35:Adopted
1121:Sydney
1106:Hobart
1101:Darwin
478:, the
357:Blazon
314:blazon
290:. The
235:empire
72:castle
66:Shield
1116:Perth
958:(PDF)
939:(PDF)
757:(PDF)
746:(PDF)
724:(PDF)
285:HMAS
110:Motto
58:crown
44:Crest
917:2024
656:2024
581:2019
474:, a
138:The
150:by
119:Use
1154::
979:).
908:.
904:.
886:.
882:.
840:.
836:.
765:^
748:.
726:.
698:.
673:.
647:.
627:.
614:^
604:.
600:.
589:^
567:.
545:.
541:.
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211:;
197:;
190:;
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60:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
