Flying the flag

Helena College students visited Parliament House through the Saluting Their Service grants program in mid-August, where they helped raise the central flag and discuss its history.

National Flag Day will be held on September 3 and Pearce MHR Christian Porter is encouraging people to fly the flag.

"This year will mark 114 years since the Australian National Flag was flown for the first time," he said.

"I encourage individuals, schools, community organisations and businesses to get behind this important day and fly our national flag."

The flag resulted from a national competition in 1901, which attracted 33,000 entries and five people jointly won it with near-identical designs.

Mr Porter said students from Helena junior school helped build a commemorative garden and memorial shield, recognising the service of the Hills community servicemen and women performed under the flag.

For more about the flag and the protocols for flying it, visit www.itsanhonour.gov.au.