Why is the Eureka flag a 'National Icon'?

Answer 1

The Eureka flag is sometimes regarded as a national icon for several reasons.

The Eureka flag was first designed and flown over the Eureka Stockade, the site of the significant goldrush clash during which the miners rebelled against the authorities over the mining licences, which were expensive and unfair. Although 22 diggers and 5 troopers died, and the immediate objectives of te miners were to achieved, the Eureka Stockade gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry followed and changes were made. These included abolishing the monthly gold licences, which were replaced by a much more affordable annual miner's licence. There were fewer troopers on the goldfields, and intrusive spot-checks ceased. Legislative Council was expanded to allow representation to the major goldfields. Peter Lalor and another representative, John Basson Humffray, were elected for Ballarat. Later, Lalor was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. For these reasons, the Eureka Stockade is regarded by many as the birthplace of Australian Democracy.

The Eureka flag was subsequently embraced as a symbol of rebellion, and used in many instances where people fought for their rights. Henry Lawson epitomised this use of the flag in his poem "Freedom on the Wallaby", which was inspired by the great Shearers' Strike of 1891. He was all in favour of the shearers striking, as he believed it was a worker's right to demand decent working conditions. He wrote:

So we must fly a rebel flag,

As others did before us,

And we must sing a rebel song

And join in rebel chorus.

Thus, the Eureka flag has come to be a national symbol of the 'underdog' fighting against the authorities; of the common worker standing up for what is rightfully his.