On 1 January 1901, the six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. In search of a flag for the new nation, the Commonwealth Government announced a worldwide competition.

Entrants were invited to submit colour sketches for a design for two flags – one for official and naval purposes, the other for merchant ships.

More than 30,000 designs were submitted. From these, the judges chose five designs, which were almost identical, and the £200 prize was divided among the winners. These designs were the beginning of the Australian National Flag as we know it today.