Torres Strait Island flag
The Torres Strait Island flag is the flag representing the Torres Strait Islander people and is recognised in an official capacity with Flag of Australia status under the Flags Act 1953. The Torres Strait Island flag was designed by Bernard Namok in 1992 following a competition held by the Islands Coordinating Council. The Torres Strait Island flag was officially proclaimed by the Commonwealth government on 14 July 1995; however, this initial proclamation expired on 1 January 2008 and was replaced in kind on 25 January 2008. The 2008 proclamation says of the Torres Strait Island flag; "[it]is recognised as the flag of the Torres Strait Islander people of Australia and a flag of significance to the Australian nation generally".
The Torres Strait Island flag features green panels at the top and bottom of the flag separated by thin black stripes inside which sits a blue panel. The colour green is said to symbolise the land whilst the colour blue represents the waters of the Torres Strait. The colour black is said to represent the Torres Strait Island people. In the centre of the flag's blue panel sits a white coloured five pointed star representing the five major island groups - Western, Eastern, Central, Port Kennedy and Mainland. Over the top of the white star sits a white dhari, a ceremonial dancer's headdress.