Historical information

The Australian Red Ensign is a variant flag of Australia.

This flag was probably used for a patriotic purpose in Ballarat, such as the end of World War One.

The Red Ensign was the only flag private citizens could fly on land. By traditional British understanding, the Blue Ensign was reserved for Commonwealth Government use, with State and local governments, private organisations and individuals all using the Red Ensign.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Australia)

There was some confusion over appropriate use of the ensigns until the Flags Act 1953 set the Blue Ensign as the national flag, and the Red Ensign as the flag of the Australian mercantile marine. Red ensigns continued to be used in Anzac Day marches into the 1960s.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Australia)

Physical description

Small red paper Australian flag attached to a stick. The Red Ensign features the Commonwealth Star at the hoist, and the Southern Cross in the other half.