Half mast not really at half mast

PRESUMABLY more than a few readers will be fed up to the gills with the repetitive mourning flood in the media for our late queen. 

It’s been relentless. Day after day no trivia relating to the royal family has been missed.

Now with the flags properly taken down it’s interesting to note that not all complied with proper protocol, and that the term “half-mast” was sometimes misunderstood.

The correct position is for the top of the flag to be a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole. Not half.

According to a release from the Australian Government Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet our national flag should be raised first and lowered last.

 Under no circumstances should a flag be flown at half-mast at night, whether or not the flag is illuminated. Few took much notice of that this past week.

 When flying the national flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.

There are occasions when direction will be given by government for all flags to be flown at half-mast.

 Some examples of these occasions are:

• On the death of the Sovereign (King or Queen) – the flag should be flown from the time of announcement of the death up to and including the funeral.

 On the day the accession of the new Sovereign is proclaimed, it is customary to raise the flag to the top of the mast from 11am until the usual time for closure of business

• On the death of a member of the royal family – by special command of the Sovereign and/or by direction of the Australian Government

• On the death of the Governor-General or a former Governor-General

• On the death of a distinguished Australian citizen, in accordance with protocol

• On days of national commemoration such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.

 Flags in any locality may be flown at half-mast on the death of a local citizen or on the day, or part of the day, of their funeral.