Australian Tartans

Registered Australian Tartans

The following tartans are some of the tartans designed by Betty Johnston, Australia's leading tartan designer.

In the research and development of a tartan, 'provenance' must be adhered to at all times, as to err from this will affect the registration and the purpose of the tartan. The provenance of each of these Australian tartans are listed below.

The tartans listed below are exclusive to the House of Tartans (Australia).

Australian National Tartan

RED, WHITE and BLUE - these colours stem from our National flag and from the time that Captain James Cook first raised the flag (Union Jack) on Australian soil. The six white stripes represent the Southern Cross constellation, which is unique to this hemisphere. This also includes our Federation or Commonwealth Star. Red and White stripes represent the Red Cross of St George (England) on a white background.

WHITE - White Diagonal cross represents St Andrews (Scotland) on a dark blue background.

RED - Red Diagonal cross represents St Patrick (Ireland).

GREEN and GOLD - Green and gold were formally proclaimed by the Australian Government as National colours in 1984 after many requests were made to have traditional sporting colours.

BLACK - The Black stripes in the tartan represents Australian's early beginnings as a convict settlement- a dark area of our history.

Queanbeyan District Tartan

RED and GOLD - Represents the concentric circles of Red and Gold projected on the shield and flag of Queanbeyan.

GOLD - From the Gold on the Coat of Arms which symbolizes the Gold cog wheel and Besant that the native animals, kangaroo and swan are wearing, a symbol of industry and local commerce.

GREEN and WHITE - Symbolises the borders displayed on the Coat of Arms..

BLACK - In recognition of the native Black swan positioned on the right side of the Coat of Arms.

BLUE - Blue represents the Australian Flag and Queanbeyan River which runs through the centre of the city.

WHITE - Symbolises the white gateway depicted in an Australian Fence (situated on the crest) which "alludes to the city's position as the gate way to the National Capital"

Hall District Tartan

DARK BLUE - Represents the ACT flag and Australian national flag.

LIME GREEN - Represents the colours worn today by the Canberra Raiders rugby league team, while the light blue represents the royal blue bell.

YELLOW - The yellow represents the yellow on the ACT flag.

BLACK - The black is for the Canberra Raiders' Viking emblem.

WHITE - The white is for the Southern Cross.

New South Wales State Tartan

Registered Number 2492

GREEN - Represents the sawtooth shaped green leaves of the floral emblem the Waratah flower, (Telopea speciosissima) the State Emblem proclaimed in 1962. Green also represents the evergreen perpetuity of the NSW tartan as one on the first registered and accredited Australian State tartans.

RED - Red represents the Union Jack first raised on Australian soil by Captain James Cook at Sting Ray Harbour (Botany Bay) in 1770. Red is symbolic of the St George Cross and the Floral Emblem, the red Waratah (Telopea speciosissima).

GOLD - Signifies the Golden Fleece, the sheaves of wheat and the rising sun, which symbolises agriculture in the State of NSW appearing on the coat of Arms. Gold is representative of the Golden Lion on the Cross of St George and the four, eight pointed stars representing the Southern Cross Constellation, which is unique to this hemisphere.

BLACK - Signifies the uniqueness of the Black Opal found in the mines of North Western NSW. Is symbolic of the borders within Australia as the beginning of a penal colony.

Victorian State Tartan

Registered Number 2509. STWR 27th December 1998.

The colours depicted within the 'sett' of the Victoria State Tartan are historically linked with the armorial bearings for the State of Victoria.

DARK BLUE - Represents the blue azure of the shield on the Victoria Coat of Arms and the background of the Victorian State flag originating from the British Blue Ensign.

WHITE - The five white stripes within the tartan represents the five white stars of the constellation of the Southern Cross unique to the Southern Hemisphere and attached on the shield in the Victorian Coat of Arms from 1870.

GREEN - Represents the live branch the grassy mount on which the two female figures stand which supports the motto for the State," Peace and Prosperity".

PINK - Represents the State floral emblem of Victoria, the Common Pink Heath adopted in 1958.

LIGHT BLUE - Depicted within the centre of the 'sett', is reminiscent of the Eureka Stockade flag displayed in 1854.

South Australian Tartan

Registered Number 2534

RED - Represents the Sturt's Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa) the State's official flower emblem proclaimed on 23rd November1961, which is situated on the State official Coat of Arms. It further symbolises the Red Cross of St George on the Union Jack.

BLACK - Represents the Piping Shrike (or white backed magpie Gymnorhina tibicen teloncua) displayed proper on the gold background. The fine black lines depict the borders of this original historic free State of South Australia.

GOLD - Symbolises the Yellow Rising Sun proclaimed official by Queen Elizabeth 11 on 19th April 1984. It is one of South Australia's official State colours and the backdrop to the Piping Shrike, which is centred on the State flag and the Coat of Arms.

BLUE - Represents the defaced Union Jack (British Blue Ensign) proclaimed on 13th January 1904 as the State flag.

GREEN - Represents the grassy mount or grasslands a symbol of agriculture on which rests South Australia's official Coat of Arms.

A combination of all the colours within the tartan is a reminder of Desert Fire (Opal) the State gemstone emblem adopted by the South Australian Government in 1985.

Australian Police Tartan

Reg Number 3182

BLACK - Depicts the dark colours traditional used by the constabulary. Black is not a colour, but is classified as a hue and therefore it depicts neutrality, which Police are to project at all times when performing their duties.

WHITE - Has significance for Australia, representing the Southern Cross Constellation, which is unique to the Southern Hemisphere.

GREY - Represent all the unsworn, admin and support staff that supports the workings and the commitment of the Australian Police Service.

BLUE - Represents the component of the uniform branch, general policing and the ongoing involvement of the Australian Police in the global Policing forum with the United Nations (UN).

The fine blue line through the sett is symbolic of 'the thin blue line' the thin line between stability and anarchy within society.

Anglicare Tartan

Reg Number 10485

The historical roots of Anglicare are based in the Anglican Church. It is a progressive not-for-profit organisation advocating compassion. The design has the visual effect in the pattern to focus on the Red Cross. The cross holds Spiritual significance and is the centre piece of the Church's traditional crest, and in its antecedence a symbol of Christianity. Anglicare delivers services to people in need in the community and in doing so, they give "Strength for today and hope for tomorrow".

BLUE - Forms the background of the Anglican Church's crest which also incorporates the WHITE stars of the Southern Cross, signifying all the good work of the church in the great southern land of Australia.

RED - The red cross is the central motive of the Church's crest. The cross is the traditional symbol of Christianity, while red is the colour of compassion which drives Anglicare's loving service to all those in need.

This pattern has been designed and registered as a 'Signature' tartan for Anglicare - Australia.

Betty J. Johnston, designer - The House of Tartan.- Australia.

Western Australia

BLACK - The predominantly black sett is historically and symbolically linked to the black swan, used as an emblem of the state of Western Australia from 1830.

RED and GREEN - The red and green represent the floral emblem, the Red and Green Kangaroo paw. The red lines are also symbolic of the large land mass and extensive mineral wealth of Western Australia.

WHITE - The white reflects the Southern Cross Constellation which is unique to Australia.

BLUE - Blue is symbolically linked to the defaced Blue Ensign of the Australian Flag and represents water within the Coat of Arms on which the black swan floats.

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Tartan

The ADFA tartan colours and their representation, is as follows:

RED - Represents the Australian Army and is a constant reminder of the sacrifice made by personnel known as `Diggers` who have died or been wounded in their service for Australia.

DARK BLUE - Is symbolic of the Royal Australian Navy, the colour of the ocean on and under which Navy Officers and sailors have served with distinction.

LIGHT BLUE- Represents the Royal Australian Air Force and is a reminder of all the Officer Cadets, men and women who have flown in combat for Australia.

WHITE - Demonstrates the tri service nature of the Academy.

GREEN AND GOLD - Australia's National colours are symbolic and used by The Australian Defence Force. The National Colours are a constant reminder for all graduates who will go forth to serve Australia and its people.

Yorston Tartan

The family name Yorston or Yorstoun is an ancient name recorded as early as the 15th Century, with a number of written variances and pronunciations. Documented antecedence and influence beginning during the Nordic period.

B&B Johnston registered as The House of Tartans (Australia) are the designers of the family tartan named and registered as the Yorston tartan.

DARK BLUE - Represents the Indigo blue base background of the Norwegian flag, the turbulent and dark Northern seas across which the original inhabitants travelled to settle the land.

LIGHT BLUE - The centre blue stripe represents the Scottish Nationality, the background and the historic link to the Scottish flag.

RED - Historically linked to the Scandinavian Cross or Nordic Cross a symbol of Liberty and the Royal Standard of Scotland, (the Lion Rampant).

WHITE - A symbolic reference to the St Andrews Cross or referred to as The Saltire and the Scandinavian Cross.

BLACK - Representing an ancient and symbolic line historically depicting the border between Scotland and England during historic times.

GREEN and GOLD - Represents the early period of tenant ploughmen and farming practices adopted by the name, with recorded reference to artisans such as goldsmiths.