For many years, the flag has been proudly on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, admired by thousands of visitors who stand in awe of its size and symbolism.

There was a time in our history when the flag wasn't treated with the reverence it is today.

It was tucked away in a gallery drawer for years, and bits of it were hacked off and given away as gifts.

But history is about time and place. We view things differently now and would never consider giving away bits of the flag.

Our appreciation of its value and its importance was far less than what it is today.

While the flag has always been important (why else would the gallery have held on to it for so long before putting it on proper display?), we understand better now than we did then just how vital it is

that we do everything we can to preserve and protect it.

The flag is about to undergo its next stage of conservation, designed to ensure its longevity.

More than 20 years ago, local seamstress Val D'Angri gave of her enormous expertise in conserving the flag.

Without her work, it would have likely not have survived so far without further deterioration.

Today, advancements in technology mean we have the opportunity to carry out further work to ensure the its long-term future.

Such work will be time consuming and expensive (although the cost is yet to be made public), but given that we are dealing with a priceless and irreplaceable piece of Australian history, this is work

that must be done.

It will be disappointing not to have the flag here in Ballarat for up to six months while the work is done in Adelaide - and depending on the timing, we might also be without the giant replica that hangs

atop the Eureka Centre - but it would be a tragedy if we let the flag deteriorate to the point where it was irretrievable.

Although the flag will be missed from the gallery, we trust it will be in good hands and will be returned to us ready for future generations to admire.