Council recognises significant community events, cultural celebrations, causes and commemorative dates across the municipality through the flying of flags on Council’s Town Halls and displays in the Civic Recognition Garden.
Council marks a range of issues, causes or dates of significance to the Stonnington community in a range of different ways. These include:
- hosting, supporting or participating in an event or function
- displaying a flag in the Civic Recognition Garden
- installation of a temporary display, artwork or decoration in the Civic Recognition Garden, a civic building or another public place
- illumination of a civic building or landmark
- acknowledgement through Council’s communication channels.
The timing and manner of recognition, as well as the annual Civic Recognition Calendar is set out in Council’s Civic Recognition Policy
Our flags
The City of Stonnington recognises that all official Australian flags should be treated with respect and dignity. Although Council facilities are not federal government buildings or establishments, Council observes, to the extent practicable, the Australian National Flag Protocols.
Flying the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag affirms Council’s respect for Australia’s Indigenous peoples.
On most days, you will find the flags on our Town Halls and civic buildings flying a full mast. If our flags are flying at half mast today, you can find out why by visiting the Commonwealth Flag Network.
Exterior flagpoles
The exterior flagpoles at the Malvern Town Hall, Prahran Town Hall and Stonnington City Centre are used for the flying of flags of national and municipal significance.
At each location, the Australian National Flag is flown in the position of honour. In all respects, flying of these flags accords with the Australian National Flag protocol as published by the Commonwealth Government.
| Location |
Flag |
| Malvern Town Hall |
Australian National Flag
City of Stonnington flag
|
| High Street forecourt beside the Malvern Town Hall |
Australian National Flag
Australian Aboriginal Flag
Torres Strait Islander Flag
|
| Clocktower at Prahran Town Hall |
Australian National Flag
|
| Stonnington City Centre, 311 Glenferrie Road, Malvern |
Australian National Flag
Victorian state Flag
Australian Aboriginal Flag
City of Stonnington Flag
|
Interior flagpoles
| Event |
Flag |
|
Council Meetings
Citizenship Ceremonies
|
Australian National Flag
Australian Aboriginal Flag
Torres Strait Islander Flag
|
|
Official functions where representatives of foreign governments are in attendance
|
Australian National Flag
Flag of representatives' nation |
Flags of recognition
Flags of significance to the Stonnington community are displayed throughout the year on the flagpole located in the Civic Recognition Garden at the Stonnington City Centre. These flags are displayed in accordance with the civic recognition calendar or in accordance with the recognition approval process set out in this policy.
Civic Recognition Garden
The Civic Recognition Garden is being constructed at the north-west corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road, within the wider Malvern City Square. Until it is in place, flags will be flown on the balcony at 311 Glenferrie Road.
The garden will consist of two small garden beds containing a plinth, flagpole and identification sign. The garden beds are planted with star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides) – a plant held in many cultures to represent grace, purity and sweet love.
2026 and 2027 dates acknowledged in the Civic Recognition Garden
Submitting a community request
Community organisations in the City of Stonnington can submit a civic recognition proposal to mark an issue, cause or date of significance to the Stonnington community.
Requests must be made by a recognised organisation based or operating within the City of Stonnington. Individuals seeking to make a request are encouraged to reach out to a relevant organisation to make a request on their behalf.
A request should include:
- your contact details
- details of the community organisation you represent and evidence that you are authorised to act on that organisation’s behalf
- details of the civic recognition proposed, including (where relevant), options for Council’s consideration
- the reasons for your proposal, with particular focus on the significance of the issue, cause or date to the Stonnington community
- where applicable, details of the community contribution (see below) that the proposing organisation is willing to make.
A request shall not be considered if:
- it seeks recognition lasting longer than 14 days
- it involves the display of a national flag of a recognised or unrecognised nation other than Australia
- the same or a substantially similar proposal has been declined within the previous 12 months
- the civic recognition proposal would be inconsistent with an adopted policy position of the Council.
Where a civic recognition proposal is approved following a community request, approval may be made conditional upon the requestor agreeing to make a contribution to the recognition, including, but not limited to:
- loan of a flag in good condition and approximately 1800mm x 900mm in size
- funding or supply of any lighting, signage, artwork or other installation that forms part of the proposal
- supplying artwork or photographs suitable for use in Council’s social media.
Questions about making a request, or submission of a final proposal can be made to governance@stonnington.vic.gov.au