Moonee Valley Weekly, 1 February 2011.
ESSENDON resident and 2010 Australian of the Year, Patrick McGorry has joined a growing chorus of former Australians of the year calling for a change to the national flag.
McGorry, who was awarded the country′s highest accolade for his work as an advocate for the awareness and treatment of mental health issues, particularly for youth, has spoken out as a member of the organisation ′Ausflag′.
Ausflag is an apolitical, non-profit organisation funded through private donations.
Ausflag′s objectives since its incorporation in 1983 have been the adoption of an Australian flag, anthem and colours.
The group says it is not and has never been pro-republican, anti-monarchist or anti-British - simply, pro-Australian.
Moonee Valley mayor John Sipek said he would be reluctant in supporting any change.
"We′ve had it [flag“ so many years - it′s tradition."
Moonee Valley′s youngest councillor James Rankin said he thought change was inevitable.
"In time it will change but I don′t believe the time to change is now."
It was in April 1954, when the Flags Act 1953 officially proclaimed the current flag as the Australian National Flag.