Our flag is one of our most important symbols, which can be seen flying high on government buildings, schools, businesses, community organisations, etc.

With our Defence Force, our soldiers hold our flag with great pride.

More and more we see private citizens flying the flag at their homes.

However, with flying our Australian flag there comes responsibilities with protocols to be followed - it must always be treated with respect and dignity.

Our Australian national flag should always be:

- Raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

- Raised first and lowered last in ceremony.

- When raised, lowered or carried in a parade or review, everyone present should be silent, facing the flag while people in uniform salute fly on the left of person facing the flags, when it is flown with one other national flag.

- Fly freely, at the top of flagpole with rope tightly secured.

- Fly at night only if illuminated.

- If material deteriorates, it may be placed in permanent place of storage or destroyed privately in a dignified way, cutting into small unrecognisable pieces, placed in an appropriate sealed bag or closed container, put into normal rubbish collection.

IN OTHER NEWS:

- Do not raise earlier than first light or lower later than dusk.

- Do not fly if faded or dilapidated.

- Do not fly upside down.

- Do not fly two flags from the same flagpole.

- Do not allow to fall or lie on the ground, be used as a cover (although it can be used to cover a coffin at a funeral).

- For displays, hang with Union Jack in top left hand corner, do not cover flag using pins or decorations.

At the Leeton Soldiers Club, the next Sub-branch meeting will be held at 5pm on August 4, followed by dinner, the auxiliary at 1pm on August 6, and a coffee morning at 10am on August 21 at The Coffee Tree.

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