The Flag of the Territory of Christmas Island

The flag of the Territory of Christmas Island was first designed in 1986. It was chosen in a competition which carried price money of $100. The winning flag was designed by Tony Couch, a former resident of Silver City, Christmas Island who was working as a Rigging Supervisor with the PMCI (Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island). The Christmas Island Assembly chose the winning entry on 14 April 1986.

The flag was not officially designated as the flag of the Territory until Australia Day 2002. Pursuant to the Christmas Island Act 1958, the Minister for Territories decided that the flag would be proclaimed as the Territory's Flag by formal announcement by the Administrator. The then Administrator, Mr Bill Taylor formally proclaimed the flag at a special function on Australia Day.

Symbolism of the Flag

The blue and green triangles represent the sea surrounding the island and the vegetation covering the island respectively. In the blue triangle is the Southern Cross in the same form as it appears on the Australian flag, representing the island's links with Australia.

In the green triangle is a representation of the Golden Bosun Bird, which is unique to Christmas Island and has long been one of the island's most popular symbols.

In the centre of the flag is a gold disc, which has come to represent the island's phosphate mining history although it was originally included only to provide a background for the green map of Christmas Island.