As the sun rises on Australia Day, a day marked by celebration and controversy, a mysterious act of patriotism has sparked a wave of admiration and debate in a leafy Sydney suburb.

This act that was done overnight left many residents curious and impressed. Yet no one knows who is behind this anonymous act of national pride.

As the word spreads, locals and social media users speculate about the responsible person's identity. The unexpected display has ignited discussions about national pride, patriotism, and the significance of such gestures in today's climate.

The flag, flying high in Mosman, caught the attention of a local who took to social media to share a photograph and inquire about the flagpole's origins.

'This has just appeared on the corner of Musgrave and Raglan Streets. There's another one on the corner of Avenue and Canrober,' she wrote, questioning whether the council was responsible for this unexpected installation.

The community response was positive, with many locals expressing their love for Australia and the desire to celebrate the country regardless of the date.

The raising of the Australian flag on a flagpole in a Sydney suburb has been praised by many locals for displaying national pride. Credit: Facebook

'To erect an Australian flag in Australia, at any given time, is awesome,' one man agreed, while another added, 'It's about time we had more Australian flags. People need to celebrate this amazing country and stop with the division.'

Others echoed the sentiment of national pride and wished to see such displays more frequently.

'It's so good to see this. I wish we had them in every front yard,' one resident remarked, while another humorously compared the flag favourably to the hire bikes that often clutter Sydney's streets.

However, not all feedback was focused on the patriotic gesture. Some locals voiced their discomfort with the Union Jack's presence in the flag's upper-left corner, seeing it as a relic of colonial rule.

'Like any true-blue Australian, I'm counting the days until that colonial relic, the Union Jack, finally gets the boot from our flag,' one man stated, advocating for a flag that better represents Australia's proud, independent identity.

The debate around the flag and Australia Day reflects the nation's ongoing conversation about its identity and history.

While many Australians support the idea of a national day to celebrate modern Australia and recognise the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians, the date of 26 January remains contentious.

This date marks the arrival of the First Fleet in Port Jackson. It is seen by some as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' due to its association with the beginning of colonial suffering for Indigenous people.

Prominent figures like former Bachelor star and proud Wiradjuri woman Kiki Morris have voiced their support for changing the date of Australia Day while maintaining a patriotic celebration.

'I think that Australia is such a wonderful country, and it's offered a safe space for so many people to live and bring up their families,' Ms Morris said.

'For those people, we deserve to celebrate what Australia means to all of us, but definitely, the date needs to be changed. We need to be sensitive to our ancestors and our history as well.'

Amidst this backdrop, a recent poll by the Institute of Public Affairs indicated a surge in support for keeping 26 January as Australia Day, particularly among young people.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has also weighed in, vowing to mandate councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, should he win the election, as a sign of pride and nationalism.

As the nation grapples with these complex issues, the anonymous act of raising the flag in Mosman reminds us of the deep-seated patriotism within the Australian community.

It's a gesture that has sparked joy, reflection, and conversation, proving that even the simplest acts can profoundly impact the national psyche.

The Mosman Council has been contacted for comment, but the identity of the person or persons who raised the flag remains a mystery.

It's a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful statements are made not with words but with actions that resonate with the hearts of many.

Key Takeaways

• An anonymous act of raising the Australian flag on a flagpole in a Sydney suburb has garnered praise from many locals for displaying national pride.
• Despite the annual debate surrounding the treatment of Indigenous Australians and the date of Australia Day, locals showed excitement for the flag's presence.
• Some residents have expressed a desire to move on from the colonial symbols in the flag, wishing to embrace a modern and independent Australian identity.
• Discussions and opinions are divided on whether Australia Day should continue to be celebrated on January 26, with a recent poll indicating a surge of support for maintaining the current date among younger Australians.

What are your thoughts on the flag-raising in Mosman? Do you have a story of an anonymous act that brought your community together? Share with us in the comments below, and let's celebrate the spirit of Australia together, in all its diversity and complexity.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Obviously the Aboriginal people discovered it!!!!! When will people wake Up???

I don't know so much that the Aboriginal people discovered the land, they were just the people on the land when it broke up into the different Continents, it was just where they lived, not too much discovering going on.

 

[Joydie]

Your comments seem rather unnecessarily toxic. What’s the point in claiming pygmies were here first? What’s with the cannibalism? “…grossly overstated by activists of doubtful aboriginality”? Telling people to stop watching the ABC?
Right-wing authoritarianism much!
Regardless of what you may want - we are a democratic society and as such people have a right to peaceful protest and/or free speech and opinions - yes? Or do we want to behave like PRC?

You know absolutely nothing about me so I fail to see how you consider yourself qualified to assess my character.

Let me set you straight: the reason I wrote about the pygmy peoples was in reply to the previous comment saying that the Aborigines were the colonisers of Australia. They were, but they wiped out an entire race of people to do so. And evidence of cannibalism has been found and documented. I'm sorry if it offends your tender sensibilities.

Now, you may note that I concluded that comment by saying: ....'if you want a debate on this topic, I'm your girl.' A thinking person would read that and think that maybe this person knows what she's talking about, so where do I begin? Firstly, full disclosure: I hope you've heard of Bess Price. She is my skin sister in law. Her husband Dave is my skin brother, so of course, that makes Jacinta Nampijinpa Price my skin niece. That makes me a kind of honorary member of the Warlpiri mob from the Alice Springs area. Do you really believe that politics is responsible for what I say? Knowing this, does it percolate through that my views are the result of personal experience that has nothing whatever to do with politics? It really is just lazy to ascribe the opinions of people to their political views. I'm totally apolitical, as I believe politics is a rotten game that too often makes bad people out of good people.

As to your horror at my mention of 'doubtful Aboriginality', latest government estimates of those falsely claiming to be Aboriginal is in the neighbourhood of 300,000. Actual Aborigines aren't happy about that, and I don't blame them.

Having been a devotee of the ABC for most of my very long life, I now have no truck with it. Their treatment of Aboriginal people close to me has been nothing short of horrendous, because they aren't pushing the rabidly left wing agenda the ABC has chosen for itself on this topic. Again: personal experience, nothing to do with politics.

So thank you for your passive aggressive response to my comment. I hope you now realise that you're a long way off base with your assessment of my character. If you wish to continue being brainwashed by Aunty ABC, go ahead. I will admit you'll find it much more comfortable than facing the truth.

 

[Knell]

I don't know so much that the Aboriginal people discovered the land, they were just the people on the land when it broke up into the different Continents, it was just were they lived, not too much discovering going on.

Semantics?

 

[Joydie]

And yet we allow them to call themselves First Nation.

When the truth is, they fulfil none of the criteria necessary for nationhood.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Bullshit. Our flag is our flag not a multi cultural one. Thousands of people have come here to make Australia their home
When you go to another country whether as a tourist or permanent resident we are expected to accept and respect their cultural, religious, etc difference
We don't go to other countries and expect them to change for us and can you imagine the reaction if anyone actually suggested they should.
Maybe we should gather all the flags up, cut a piece off each, sew the pieces together. Hooray Australia's new multi cultural flag. For heaven's sake.

Post of the year!!

 

[Joydie]

Wrong!!

It is being ruined by multiculturalism.

Look at my avatar and you will realise why!

I do agree. But wouldn't you say multiculturalism is negative? It was thought to be great, and it was until cultures arrived who have no intention of assimilating.

 

[Knell]

You know absolutely nothing about me so I fail to see how you consider yourself qualified to assess my character.

Let me set you straight: the reason I wrote about the pygmy peoples was in reply to the previous comment saying that the Aborigines were the colonisers of Australia. They were, but they wiped out an entire race of people to do so. And evidence of cannibalism has been found and documented. I'm sorry if it offends your tender sensibilities.

Now, you may note that I concluded that comment by saying: ....'if you want a debate on this topic, I'm your girl.' A thinking person would read that and think that maybe this person knows what she's talking about, so where do I begin? Firstly, full disclosure: I hope you've heard of Bess Price. She is my skin sister in law. Her husband Dave is my skin brother, so of course, that makes Jacinta Nampijinpa Price my skin niece. That makes me a kind of honorary member of the Warlpiri mob from the Alice Springs area. Do you really believe that politics is responsible for what I say? Knowing this, does it percolate through that my views are the result of personal experience that has nothing whatever to do with politics? It really is just lazy to ascribe the opinions of people to their political views. I'm totally apolitical, as I believe politics is a rotten game that too often makes bad people out of good people.

As to your horror at my mention of 'doubtful Aboriginality', latest government estimates of those falsely claiming to be Aboriginal is in the neighbourhood of 300,000. Actual Aborigines aren't happy about that, and I don't blame them.

Having been a devotee of the ABC for most of my very long life, I now have no truck with it. Their treatment of Aboriginal people close to me has been nothing short of horrendous, because they aren't pushing the rabidly left wing agenda the ABC has chosen for itself on this topic. Again: personal experience, nothing to do with politics.

So thank you for your passive aggressive response to my comment. I hope you now realise that you're a long way off base with your assessment of my character. If you wish to continue being brainwashed by Aunty ABC, go ahead. I will admit you'll find it much more comfortable than facing the truth.

Can you read? I did not assess your character - I assessed your comments.
Character however - I have seen enough of your comments to know absolutely you are right wing political. Comments about cannibalism and pigmies are not only irrelevant to the topic, I contend they are incorrect and gratuitously nasty in essence.
So you are saying that the general consensus by peer reviewed scientific studies is wrong? As I read it, Pygmies have been de-bunked. “In the case of colonial discourses of cannibalism, the creation of the flesh-eating native, and the designation of that identity as an atavistic practitioner of abject horror, can be read as arising out of the need for the British to disavow their own anthropophagy.”
“historians and anthropologists rejected allegations of Aboriginal cannibalism when they were re-articulated in 1997, when the publication of The Truth, attributed to (although not written by) Pauline Hanson, stated that Aborigines practised cannibalism and, especially, baby-eating. “
The rights of people to see an objection to celebrating, what is to some, a sad thing, is a right - no matter whether Indigenous Australians or immigrant Australians! People falsely claiming to be Indigenous is irrelevant to the topic here.
What is off base about they having every right to their opinion and feelings?

 

[mylittletibbies]

I do agree. But wouldn't you say multiculturalism is negative? It was thought to be great, and it was until cultures arrived who have no intention of assimilating.

And not only not assimilating but actually expecting us to change for them. e.g. shopping centres, child care centres and other places not having nativity scenes at Xmas, there was a hospital far north of Perth who actually stopped providing ham sandwiches in case some people got upset. Some people actually did get upset, us, the Australians.
We had neighbours who actually suggested we replace a blown down fence ourselves, us and them instead of the fencing contractor as the cost had already been approved by insurance.
We agreed as we had done fencing many times.
When it came time to do it, we got no help from them because we have dogs, dogs apparently offend them, they're apparently dirty. Ours are visited by the doggy wash every four weeks
I put the dogs inside but that wasn't good enough. The neighbours from over the road helped us. The next door neighbours then asked for their half share of what we saved by doing the job ourselves.. I gave it to the neighbours who helped us
Then you've got the ones who have 3 or 4 wives and families, collecting single mums pensions for most of them.
If we did that we'd get charged with bigamy which is a crime, at least for us. Not to mention social security fraud. Why are we letting people into this country, under these circumstances. which wouldn't be tolerated for everyday
Australians.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I do agree. But wouldn't you say multiculturalism is negative? It was thought to be great, and it was until cultures arrived who have no intention of assimilating.

Wow Joydie, you have now joined the ranks of those who have been put in our place by our Knell.
Welcome to the Club.

 

[Joydie]

Can you read? I did not assess your character - I assessed your comments.
Character however - I have seen enough of your comments to know absolutely you are right wing political. Comments about cannibalism and pigmies are not only irrelevant to the topic, I contend they are incorrect and gratuitously nasty in essence.
So you are saying that the general consensus by peer reviewed scientific studies is wrong? As I read it, Pygmies have been de-bunked. “In the case of colonial discourses of cannibalism, the creation of the flesh-eating native, and the designation of that identity as an atavistic practitioner of abject horror, can be read as arising out of the need for the British to disavow their own anthropophagy.”
“historians and anthropologists rejected allegations of Aboriginal cannibalism when they were re-articulated in 1997, when the publication of The Truth, attributed to (although not written by) Pauline Hanson, stated that Aborigines practised cannibalism and, especially, baby-eating. “
The rights of people to see an objection to celebrating, what is to some, a sad thing, is a right - no matter whether Indigenous Australians or immigrant Australians! People falsely claiming to be Indigenous is irrelevant to the topic here.
What is off base about they having every right to their opinion and feelings?

I stand by my opinions which I have, as you have yourself said, a right to do. They are based on personal experience, to which you have laid no claim.

One of the things that makes America an angry country, is the insistence on labelling everyone politically. It's counterproductive and totally unhelpful. Because you disagree with what you see as a right wing view, should I label you as left wing? You may well be, but I don't give two hoots about the political affiliations of anyone, if indeed they have any. But you do you. As I said earlier, it's much more comfortable.

I note you haven't addressed what I wrote about my affiliation with real Aborigines. You didn't expect that, did you? You had me labelled - that word again - as someone with no affinity for Aborigines. Again, I have a clear eyed view of the situation. I have no problem whatever with those who feel aggrieved by the date of Australia Day. It's the way they protest and the words they use I object to. And the Fauxborigines claiming benefits to which they're not entitled. I'm simply saying that all the Aborigines I know, all of whom are genuine Aborigines, many living on country, don't have a problem with it.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I stand by my opinions which I have, as you have yourself said, I have a right to do. They are based on personal experience, to which you have laid no claim.

One of the things that makes America an angry country, is the insistence on labelling everyone politically. It's counterproductive and totally unhelpful. Because you disagree with what you see as a right wing view, should I label you as left wing? You may well be, but I don't give two hoots about the political affiliations of anyone, if indeed they have any. But you do you. As I said earlier, it's much more comfortable.

I note you haven't addressed what I wrote about my affiliation with real Aborigines. You didn't expect that, did you? You had me labelled - that word again - as someone with no affinity for Aborigines. Again, I have a clear eyed view of the situation. I have no problem whatever with those who feel aggrieved by the date of Australia Day. It's the way they protest and the words they use I object to. And the Fauxborigines claiming benefits to which they're not entitled. I'm simply saying that all the Aborigines I know, all of whom are genuine Aborigines, many living on country, don't have a problem with it.

Neither do my aboriginal friends.

 

[Miss Jewel]

It would be great to see our country celebrate Australia Day with more passion and for it to be inclusive of all people.
Changing the date would not hurt anyone, and by showing kindness to our indigenous people this way would be epic for them.
I agree that removing the Union Jack in our flag would also be a kind and inclusive gesture for all. I am English but despise the colonialism because of the cruelty and bigotry shown. I am ashamed of our invasion day date.

 

[Miss Jewel]

Raise the flag, change the flag, do whatever is necessary to bring Australians together. Most Aussies will celebrate without thinking about the impact that the date has on our indigenous communities. How about just having a National Day on the last Monday in January, regardless of the date. That way it's always a long weekend, not just occurring on the day of the 26th(or whatever). It would be a site less inconvenient for businesses and educators.

Totally agree with you!

 

[Miss Jewel]

I totally agree with you.
The person who thinks the Union Jack should be removed needs to remember who discovered this country.

If you are going by white explorers then the Dutch 'discovered it. It was never 'discovered. Sure it was new to the explorers but it was already belonging to our Indigenous Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

 

[deni67]

In regards to the protests for Aborignal people, you'd be hard picked to find one in a crowd, they are mostly white do-gooders that I call the "great unwashed".

 

[mylittletibbies]

If you are going by white explorers then the Dutch 'discovered it. It was never 'discovered. Sure it was new to the explorers but it was already belonging to our Indigenous Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

When they first came here , when what is now Australia , broke away from the rest of South East Asia, did those living here then cede their sovereignty to our now so called First Nations people.
Since time began countries have.been invaded and settled. Written history is not known from back whenever, who knows how many different tribes wandered this earth before any of the actual written history was recorded.
Nobody can claim to be the first.
All this "we were here first" business is ridiculous, it sounds like children squabbling in the playground. We are all here now, we can't change or keep reliving the past. Most people alive now did not commit these atrocities, how long is this going to.go on.
Look at the Middle East carrying on old hatreds for hundreds and hundreds of years.
It reminds me of the song from South Pacific. "We have to be carefully taught,to hate the people our parent's hate".
Children are not innately born to hate they learn it, mainly from their parents and what they hear going on around them.
This country is never going to be One Nation until we leave the past behind
and move forward.

 

[Joydie]

Wow Joydie, you have now joined the ranks of those who have been put in our place by our Knell.
Welcome to the Club.

I'm desolated. How can I sleep tonight?!

Look, I'm sorry, but I see the name 'Knell', and I can't help but wonder if he/she has the first name 'Death'. As he/she is so fond of labelling me, I think I'll call him/her 'Dymo'.

Thank you for your welcome. I'm happy to join the happy, positive people.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I'm desolated. How can I sleep tonight?!

Look, I'm sorry, but I see the name 'Knell', and I can't help but wonder if he/she has the first name 'Death'. As he/she is so fond of labelling me, I think I'll call him/her 'Dymo'.

Thank you for your welcome. I'm happy to join the happy, positive people.

OMG, I've thought about calling her that many times.
I was just going to suggest she download
Qld heritage v1 no7.
There's a full article on cannibalism and infanticide, mentioning well documented evidence, particular tribes, places including Victoria, SA. WA as well as Qld.
There are many other articles as well from different sources. Still she'll say it's all made up.
Best to leave her to push her own barrow.

 

[Knell]

I stand by my opinions which I have, as you have yourself said, a right to do. They are based on personal experience, to which you have laid no claim.

One of the things that makes America an angry country, is the insistence on labelling everyone politically. It's counterproductive and totally unhelpful. Because you disagree with what you see as a right wing view, should I label you as left wing? You may well be, but I don't give two hoots about the political affiliations of anyone, if indeed they have any. But you do you. As I said earlier, it's much more comfortable.

I note you haven't addressed what I wrote about my affiliation with real Aborigines. You didn't expect that, did you? You had me labelled - that word again - as someone with no affinity for Aborigines. Again, I have a clear eyed view of the situation. I have no problem whatever with those who feel aggrieved by the date of Australia Day. It's the way they protest and the words they use I object to. And the Fauxborigines claiming benefits to which they're not entitled. I'm simply saying that all the Aborigines I know, all of whom are genuine Aborigines, many living on country, don't have a problem with it.

You do like to get aggressive and rude…there are meds you can take for that.
I didn’t address your affiliation with First Nations People because, you forget, we have addressed this last year (perhaps you have forgotten you have been making comments here for quite some time)…LOL. It was around your stating ‘’skin relative” when it is in fact ‘skin name’ e.g. aunty/uncle and your family relationship with Jacinta Price (i.e. commonly aligned with “Uncle Tom-ism” and being sued for defamation). I will refer your comments to Jacinta and her mob for comment - just to clarify that this is what she is advocating and get feedback from her mob). Ah - separation from Church and State… Thank goodness for the Missionaries!
Stating Pygmies were here first is not a FACT and cannibalism maybe, maybe not, but it has been everywhere apparently…including Europe …and those sailors didn’t mind partaking apparently - which is why the ‘law’ about the same was created, in fact. But I remember how disorientated you seemed during our first convo on the topic and can see that your condition has not improved. But yes, you are definitely among like-minded ‘friends’…birds of a feather!

 

[Knell]

OMG, I've thought about calling her that many times.
I was just going to suggest she download
Qld heritage v1 no7.
There's a full article on cannibalism and infanticide, mentioning well documented evidence, particular tribes, places including Victoria, SA. WA as well as Qld.
There are many other articles as well from different sources. Still she'll say it's all made up.
Best to leave her to push her own barrow.

LOL... Insecure and seeking validation? “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people”. (Socrates)