![[City of Toowoomba arms]](../images/a/au-ql-tw.jpg)
image located by Valentin Poposki, 24 July 2012
Last modified: 2016-02-27 by ian macdonald
Keywords: toowoomba | coat of arms (quartered) | kangaroo | circles (3) |
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image located by Valentin Poposki, 24 July 2012
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According to Wikipedia, Toowoomba is a city in South East Queensland,
Australia, located 132 km west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. From March 2008, the City of Toowoomba has been
amalgamated with surrounding rural shires and towns to form Toowoomba Regional Council.
Valentin Poposki, 10 May 2008
On 19 May 2009, the Regional Council resolved that a flag be designed based on the “colours of the corporate logo”. According to the Transition Action Plan (114kb PDF), the logo was designed in November 2007 as part of an interim branding. The common part of the branding is a rectangular area, with three interlocking arcs and the spaces between them in various shades of 'teal green' and white (some areas with a colour gradient). The words “TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL” appear in three lines in the logo in white on teal green below the interlocking circles. According to the plan,
“the concept represents the unification of the eight existing Councils using the design element of linking circles. The number of shapes left within the square is eight, representing the number of Councils. The peaceful tones of teal green were used to reinforce the idea of a harmonious amalgamation. The logo also loosely identifies the many roads, creeks and rivers that wind across the Region.”
A flag with a (monochrome) teal field and the interlocking arc design
in the fly in white, and “TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL” in three lines
in the lower hoist was proposed to the council and adopted on 17
November 2009. (Committee report 9 & 10 Nov 2009 -
62kb PDF). The flag was adopted for the purposes of reinforcing the
'one organisation' message, with an expected range of ceremonial and
civic uses including: “being flown regularly at all service
centres, significant local and national events, significant ceremonial
events, half mast on the passing of famous and local and national
identities, and presentation to sister cities.” Later Council
minutes document the purchase of flags for use at the “service centres”.
Jonathan Dixon, 4 January 2010
Use of the flag is (also) covered by the policy "Symbols of the Toowoomba
Regional Council", adopted 20 September 2011, but apparently not available
online.
Jonathan Dixon, 3 August 2012
![[Flag with former City of Toowoomba arms]](../images/a/au-ql_tw.gif)
image by Eugene Ipavec, 23 Aug 2008
The flag is shown on the toowoomba.org website. However, I assume that that is the flag of former Toowoomba City Council, not of the present Regional Council.
The main object on the flag is the coat of arms, shown on the same page, with description:
"Crest:
A violet and sprig of wattle in saltire tied with a red ribbon is used as the crest in Toowoomba's coat of arms. The wattle and violet are Toowoomba's floral emblems and represent the cities colours of gold and purple respectively. The colours were adopted by the city in 1932.Wreath (Torse):
In keeping with tradition, the wreath features the same heraldic colour (red) and heraldic metal (gold) as the mantling. It consists of two ribbons coupled together by twisting them several times, then wound around the helmet, designed to hold the mantling securely in place.Mantling (Trimming):
The mantling streaming from the helmet consists of a heraldic colour (Red) on one side and a heraldic metal (Gold) on the other side.Helmet (Helm):
The helmet, sitting atop the shield, is a carry over from the days when a coat of arms was used to distinguish combatants on the battlefield.Shield:
The shield of the Toowoomba coat of arms is divided into four fields. The charges that occupy the four fields and their origin and meaning are summarized as follows:
- 1st Field - Horse head on gold background
- The horse played an important role in Toowoomba's pioneer days, serving predominantly in the areas of agriculture and transport. The purple horses head on gold background represent the colours of this extraordinary garden city.
- 2nd Field - Golden Fleece (Sheepskin) on red background
- The Golden Fleece symbolizes the sheep that would have grazed on lush pastures. The red background could possibly symbolize Toowoomba's volcanic rich red soil.
- 3rd Field - Sheaf of wheat on blue background
- Wheat grain was the main production crop in Toowoomba's early days. The blue background symbolizes clear skies of the Sunshine State.
- 4th Field - Emu on gold background
- The emu, a large native bird and unofficial faunal emblem of Australia was originally intended to be used as one of the supporters of the shield. This was decided against as the Australian coat of arms already had a kangaroo and emu as supporters. Instead it was incorporated into the 4th field.
Supporters:
Two kangaroos are used as supporters of the shield. A sprig of wattle is placed on each kangaroos shoulder to make it easily identifiable from other coat of arms.Compartment:
A grassy mount is used as the compartment upon which the two supporting kangaroos, shield and scroll of Toowoomba's motto rest.Motto:
Toowoomba's motto, the Latin Prodimus Dum Crescimus, translates to 'We prosper as we grow', indicating Toowoomba's prosperity and progression as a city."
Valentin Poposki, 10 May 2008
The arms are also presented (with a longer description) on the new Council's website in the historic section as the Toowoomba City Coat of Arms. The report in response to a request to use the arms on a Boy's Brigade flag, considered at a Council meeting in August 2008 (Committee Report, 12&13 Aug 2008 - 82kb PDF), suggests that the Council is happy to consider the ongoing use of these arms, and those of the other seven parties to the merger, as representative of their respective areas.
However, I can't find any more evidence for
the purple flag, and I wouldn't be sure that it was used in the cloth
and/or had official sanction.
Jonathan Dixon, 4 January 2010
