07 Nov, 2017

Australian National Flag to fly at Half-Mast

State Funeral Service - The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KG AK GCMG GCVO KBE QC (1923 - 2017)

A State Funeral for The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KG AK GCMG GCVO KBE QC will take place at 11.00 am on Wednesday 8 November 2017 at St Paul’s Cathedral, corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne, VIC.

Sir Ninian served as Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia from 1982-1989. He became the first Australian Ambassador for the Environment from 1989-1992. He was a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1972-1982 and served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria from 1970-1972. Sir Ninian served as patron for many significant Australian organisations and was honoured with numerous awards including a Knighthood of the Order of Australia in 1982. He received the rare distinction of a Knighthood in the Order of the Garter in 1994.

As a mark of mourning and respect and in accordance with protocol, it is recommended that the Australian National Flag be flown at half-mast all day on Wednesday 8 November 2017 from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.

In accordance with flag protocol, all flags and ensigns at each flag station are recommended to be flown at half-mast during daylight hours. However, should it be the custom to fly the flags of other nations at your flag station, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag.

Read further information on the protocols for half-masting the Australian National Flag.

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