John's flag a beacon of pride

John Luk originates from Holland — but loves Australia with all his heart.

Many who have driven along Chapman Road will have seen his home — a green manicured lawn with the Australian flag flying.

Mr Luk migrated with his parents in 1949 from the Dutch colony of Indonesia, to a farm near Cue.

“I have been very grateful of my life here in Australia,” he said.

“I think of myself as very patriotic.

“I love flying the flag outside my house, its helps people identify my house.”

After winning Citizen of the Year in 2002, Mr Luk said he has become more patriotic, and admits if he was younger he may have been somewhat of a republican.

“I love the flag, it’s colourful, I would take the royal ensign of Britain off though, make it a real Australian flag," he said.

“Call me a republican if you like, but I’m too old to be bothered for that.

“I love Australia and that’s all that matters.”

Flag facts

• The flag of Australia is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Jack in the canton (upper hoist quarter), and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter.

• The fly contains a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars — one small five-pointed star and four, larger seven-pointed stars.

• If your school does not have an Australian flag you can request your local Member of Parliament to supply one.

• Following Federation in 1901, the new Commonwealth government arranged a competition to choose a flag for the new nation, and entries were submitted from nearly one per cent of the population.

• Five people tied for the honour of designing the Australian flag — Annie Dorrington, Ivor Evans, Leslie Hawkins, Egbert Nuttall and William Stevens.

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