The Torres Strait Islander flag has been raised atop Anzac Hill in Alice Springs for the first time, closing the circle on a long-running push to acknowledge First Nations Australians at the site.
The Alice Springs Town Council held a ceremony on Tuesday morning to mark the historic event, after it resolved to fly the Torres Strait Islander flag alongside the Australian, Northern Territory and Aboriginal flags.
It comes after a two-decade struggle for council approval to erect the Aboriginal flag at Anzac Hill — a sacred site and a military memorial located in the heart of the Central Australian town.
In 2018, then-councillor Matt Paterson made a last-minute decision to support the proposal, swinging the balance of power in the chamber in favour of the motion.
'Long overdue' addition
Addressing a small crowd of First Nations people in attendance on Tuesday, Mr Paterson — who is now the mayor — said the latest addition was a "long overdue" step in the right direction.
Sharon Lowah, whose cousin Bernard Namok Sr designed the Torres Strait Islander flag, said it was an important acknowledgement for her people.
"We are very proud, honoured and excited to be part of this occasion, as we have been looking forward to this day, when the Torres Strait Islander flag is to be flown on Anzac Hill," she said.
"The journey up to the current date has been one of struggle and great determination by Chuna Lowah, my sister, to see the result of the Torres Strait flag to be flown in Central Australia."
A historic moment
Ms Lowah recalled the first time the flag was raised in Alice Springs — at a NAIDOC event in 1996.
"It was an amazing achievement to see the two First Nations flags flying together on NAIDOC Week," she said.
"This action then set the standard for local schools and other organisations to include flying the Torres Strait flag at their venues."
Mr Namok Sr's design was the winning entry for a competition run by the Island Coordinating Council in 1992.
The flag was officially recognised and presented to the Torres Strait Islander people at the Torres Strait Cultural Festival in May that year.
"It was more like an awakening feeling, that people realised that this is us," said Gilmore Johnson, a Torres Strait Islander man residing in Alice Springs.
"Suddenly, there were three flags — the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait flag."
'An identity and a sense of pride'
Mr Gilmore relayed a message from Bernard Namok Jr, the son of Mr Namok Sr.
"What may seem like a simple design to some people has given all Torres Strait Islanders an identity and a sense of pride as Indigenous Australians," Mr Namok Jr said.
"I believe that every one of us is on a journey and are here for a purpose.
"My father — even though he was with us for a very short time — has left an amazing legacy behind. Things do not happen, things are made to happen."
In his message, Mr Namok Jr said he would continue his father's legacy and keep on carrying the flag.
A 'symbol of respect'
Cr Paterson acknowledged the town had a soured history when it came to embracing its diversity.
"From the oldest living culture in the world, to migrants from every corner of the globe, this is what I truly love most about our town," he said.
"While this is true, it's also true that we haven't always been great at celebrating this fact, or even acknowledging our history, or history of our country, and this has to change."
He said flying the Torres Strait Islander flag was a "symbol of respect".
"It promotes a sense of community, creates a welcoming environment, and demonstrates our acknowledgement of Torres Strait Islander community, not only here in Alice Springs, but across the country," he said.
"I'm under no illusion — this is just a step in the right direction.
"There is still plenty to be done for us to properly tell the history of our town. This council remains committed to doing that."
