The claim by anti-vaccination protestors that they will 'reclaim the Eureka flag' at a protest this weekend in Ballarat is a bizarre one, based on a total misreading of the symbolism of the Eureka flag.
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The flag was first flown in Ballarat in November 1854, at a series of protest meetings convened by the Ballarat Reform League.
The League was strongly influenced by the British Chartist movement seeking political reform.
The purpose of the meetings was to ratify the Charter of the League, which called on the Victorian government to give parliamentary representation to the people of the goldfields.
In 1854 political power in Victoria was in the hands of the British-appointed Governor, a representative of the undemocratic British government of the day.
One of the great gains of the Ballarat Reform League, and the stand taken at the Eureka Stockade on 3 December 1854, was to win parliamentary representation in a new democratic form of government for Victoria.
The diggers gained the right to vote, the right to stand for parliament and the right for all adult males to be represented by electorates in the parliament.
The Eureka flag is not just a symbol of opposition, it is much much more. It is a symbol of hope, unity and rebellion with a purpose.
This gift of parliamentary representation has been handed down to us today, and is celebrated at both the Eureka Centre in Ballarat, and the Australian Museum of Democracy in Canberra.
It is our democratically elected governments, both in Victoria and in Australia, that have legislated during the Covid pandemic to protect their populations, following the expert advice of health officials. We the people will have the opportunity next year at elections to judge the performance of those governments.
The Eureka flag, the flag of the Ballarat Reform League, has been used since 1854 by groups seeking political reform. It has been used by trade unionists seeking better working conditions, republicans seeking national identity, and especially the ALP as a democratic political symbol.
In our present time, the proud symbolism of the Eureka flag should not be besmirched by extreme movements that do not represent unity, democracy and pride in the multicultural Australia that has been nurtured under the Southern Cross.
Dr Joe Toscano of the Anarchist Media Alliance, a general practitioner and passionate Eureka supporter, put it so eloquently to me recently:
The Eureka flag is not just a symbol of opposition, it is much much more. It is a symbol of hope, unity and rebellion with a purpose. A purpose that is encapsulated in the Eureka Oath:
"We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to
defend our rights and liberties."
The keyword is 'WE' - people of all races, all colours, religious persuasions.
The Eureka flag has been flown at many protest meetings over the years, for many different causes. As Toscano said, it is important for us to remember the constructive, positive element in the Eureka tradition - seeking to effect positive political change.
Threatening violent actions against democratically elected members of our society is not an acceptable use of the flag.
Dr. Anne Beggs-Sunter
What do you think of misuse of the Eureka flag? Have your say:
