[1] The idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Australian National Flag dates from 1984.
In that year the New South Wales branch of the Australian National Flag Association (ANFA) arranged for 3 September to be observed as "Australian National Flag Day" at a public ceremony held in Hyde Park, Sydney.
[citation needed] The official centenary of federation flag raising event was held at the national maritime museum in 2001.
[citation needed] On 28 August 1996, the Governor-General of Australia, Sir William Deane, issued a proclamation that officially established 3 September as Australian National Flag Day.
[1] Since 2008, 3 September has also been officially commemorated as Merchant Navy Day[2][3][4] which allows the Australian Red Ensign to be flown on land for the occasion as a matter of protocol.