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City of Queanbeyan (NSW, Australia)

image by Jonathan Dixon, 22 April 2016

Description of the Flag

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Description of the Flag

Queanbeyan is a city in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, on the border of the Australian Capital Territory, just 15 km from central Canberra. It is situated on the Queanbeyan River, the name taken from the local (presumably Ngambri) word Quinbean meaning 'clear waters'.

European settlement of the area began in the 1820s, with a township proclaimed in 1838. Gold was found in the area in gold rush period of the 1850s and farming in the area was successful. At federation, the town pushed for the new Australian capital to be located in the area, but when this push was successful, the people voted not to be included in the capital territory itself. The building of the new city began from Queanbeyan, and since then has become a satellite city of Canberra.

The Municipality of Queanbeyan was formed in 1885, and was given city status in 1972. Today (before proposed mergers) it covers an area of 172 km², with a population of 38,000 at the 2011 census.

The flag used by Queanbeyan City Council is a banner of arms, the arms being granted (replacing previous arms of some sort) on 19 March 1980. The field is quartered diagonally yellow (representing the wealth from the efforts of the citizens) and red (their blood), with four concentric circles (a growing city with a growing range of industries) countercharged, within a double border alternating green and white, intended to resemble a brick wall symbolising the contribution of all sections of the community to build up their city, with green and white representing the fresh ideas and efforts of the people.
(Source: Heraldry of the World http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Queanbeyan)

I guess the blazon is:
Per saltire, or and gules, four concentric annulets countercharged, within a bordure counter-compony vert and argent.

My depiction of the banner of arms above was made with reference to pictures of the flag flying at the Council Chambers which Google Image Search seems to suggest was once used at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-07/queanbeyan-council-chambers/7307324, and Google Streetview from March 2015 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.354097,149.2349067,3a,15y,250.14h,105.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sXVoPI3AytoEqyVd7Y7Oz4A!2e0!5s20150301T000000!7i13312!8i6656.
Jonathan Dixon, 22 April 2016

As of 12 May 2016, Queanbeyan has indeed been merged with Palerang Council to form Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. In this case, I'd say it's possible that the flag will continue to be used by the new council, but they may well find it necessary to change things to reflect the merger.
Jonathan Dixon, 16 May 2016