Queensland is my home state and, since we celebrate Queensland Day on 6 June, I thought I’d share a little about my state and its special day.
On 6 June 1859 Queensland separated from New South Wales to become an independent colony. It was awarded this status by Queen Victoria who reigned from 1837 until 1901.
Queensland Capital
Brisbane, located in the south-east corner of the state, is the state capital
Queensland Flag
The Queensland flag was introduced in 1876. It is the Blue Ensign (British flag) with the state’s badge – the Royal Crown in a light blue Maltese Cross.
Queensland Coat of Arms
Queensland’s Coat of Arms is the oldest Coat of Arms in Australia. It was granted by Queen Victoria in 1893. It was the first Coat of Arms assigned to a British colony since Charles II granted Jamaica its Arms in 1661.
Primary industries feature on the coat of arms as they were and remain important to Queensland’s economy. The arms feature the head of a bull and a ram, mining, a sheaf of wheat and two stalks of sugar cane.
The state motto, Audax at Fidelis, means “Bold but Faithful”.
The brolga and the red deer were added to the Coat of Arms in 1977 during Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. The brolga, the only species of crane native to Australia and also known as Native Companion, symbolises the native population. The red deer, which were brought from the royal herds near London, represents the old world.
Queensland’s state fauna emblem
The koala was named as the state fauna emblem in 1971. The koala is a marsupial (mammal with a pouch) that is native only to Australia and lives mainly along the east and south coasts.
Koalas live in eucalyptus trees. Their diet consists almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves. As they get most of the moisture they need from the leaves, they don’t need to drink water except in times of drought when the leaves may dry out. The name koala comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘no drink’.
Koalas spend most of their time sleeping and may sleep up to 20 hours a day. They are usually more active at night. Their main activity is eating. Sadly, though much loved by Australians, the koala is now listed as vulnerable. The main threats are habit destruction and climate change.
Queensland’s state floral emblem
The Cooktown Orchid was named as the state floral emblem in 1959 during celebrations of the state’s centenary. It is native to northern Queensland and was named after a town there. It grows on trees and rocks as far north as Cape York Peninsula and flowers in autumn and winter. The flowers are usually purple.
Queensland’s state bird emblem
The state’s bird emblem is the brolga. Brolgas are mainly grey. They have a long thin neck, a bare head and a patch of red skin behind the eye. They may be more than a metre tall and their outstretched wings can be up to two metres from wingtip to wingtip. They are noted for their graceful mating dance.
Queensland’s state gem
The sapphire was named as the official state gem in 1985. It was first discovered in Queensland in the 1870s and is still found in some areas. It is usually dark in colour and almost opaque, with tinges of blue, green or brown.
The sapphire is a hard gem, second only to diamonds.
Queensland’s state aquatic symbol
The Barrier Reef anemone fish was named as the state’s aquatic symbol in 2005.
The anemone fish is named for its close association with and home in large, tropical sea anemones in Queensland’s Barrier Reef. The fish is brown-orange in colour and has two white stripes edged with black, one on the head and one across the middle of the body. Its tail is white.
Queensland’s state colour
In 2003, maroon became the official state colour.
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little about my state.
The images used in this post, including the information about each, is now available free to download in a Queensland Day Posters pack.
I have created a new Queensland Day word search for a bit of fun which is also free to download.
You and your children may also enjoy Little Koala’s Party problem solving lessons. The suggestions could be used for hosting your own party in celebrations of Queensland Day.
Be sure to check out all the other resources that support Little Koala’s Party too.
