Respecting the flag
The Flag
Scouts treat flags with respect; they’re seen as important symbols of the country or group
they represent. This means we:
• Look after flags by keeping them neat and clean
• Never deliberately damage flags
• Try our best to not let them fall to the ground
• Don’t wear the Australian flag like a cape
• Treat the flags of other countries with the same level of respect we pay our own
Some guidelines for the Australian Flag:
• The flag should be raised quickly and carefully, and lowered slowly
• Do not raise the flag earlier than first light, or lower the flag later than dusk
• Only fly at night if the flag is lit-up
• The Australian flag should not share a flagpole with any other flag
• Do not fly the flag if it is damaged
• Do not use the flag to drape a table
• The Australian flag should not touch or lie on the ground
• Do not salute a flag that has already been lowered
More guidelines can be found on the Australian Government Website – Department of Prime
Minister and Cabinet.
Many local MPs (Members of Parliament) provide Australian flags free of charge to
community groups such as Scouts. If you’re in need of a new flag, we suggest you contact
your local MP’s office.
You may also be able to obtain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags – displaying these
flags is a great way of acknowledging Australia’s First Nations’ Peoples.
1
Using the Australian Flag
The Australian flag is often broken or lowered at the opening and closing of our activities,
and sometimes at the start and end of many of our ceremonies.
Breaking
• The flag, correctly folded for breaking, is hoisted to the top of the flagpole by the
Patrol Leader or Unit Leader before the ceremony. The Unit is called into a circular
formation, and to “Alert”.
• The person raising the flag (pre-determined) walks to the flagpole and, without
saluting, holds the loose side of the rope, at the same time saying “Unit, face the flag”.
• The member holding the rope says: “Unit, Salute”, and at the same time pulls down
on the rope, breaking the flag, and then stepping back to salute the flag with the rest
of the Unit. The salute ends when the member at the flag brings their hand down
from the salute position.
• All youth and adult members return to their standing positions around the ceremony
formation, and the person leading the ceremony asks the Unit to “Stand at ease”
while any announcements, activity discussions and proceedings occur.
Lowering
• The flag is at the top of the pole. The Scouts are in a circle or horse-shoe in front of
it.
• The person leading the ceremony asks the Unit to stand to “Alert”.
• The person lowering the flag (pre-determined) walks to the flagpole to prepare to
lower the flag. They might need to take another Scout to help them and make sure
the flag doesn’t touch the ground.
• The person lowering the flag stands in front of the flag and salutes.
• The person lowering the flag says, “Unit, face the flag”.(All turn to face the flag; if
necessary, the person assisting turns to stand underneath the flag facing the Unit).
• The flag is lowered slowly either into the arms of the person assisting or onto a piece
of furniture or similar. The Unit salutes as the flag is being lowered. The Unit drops
their salute once the entire flag has been completely lowered.
• The Scout(s) who lowered the flag return to their position(s).
• The person leading the ceremony asks the Unit to “stand at ease”.
