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| Coat of Arms of Victoria | |
|---|---|
| Name | Coat of Arms of Victoria |
| Armiger | State of Victoria |
| Year adopted | 1877, 1973 |
| Crest | Crown of Saint Edward |
| Supporters | Kangaroo and Emu |
| Motto | "Peace and Prosperity" |
Coat of Arms of Victoria is the heraldic emblem representing the Australian state of Victoria, used by the Governor of Victoria, the Parliament of Victoria, and numerous public institutions. The emblem links Victorian identity to British Crown traditions, regional emblems such as the Southern Cross, and figures in civic life like the Premier of Victoria and municipal councils in Melbourne and regional centres such as Geelong and Ballarat. It appears on official documents of the Supreme Court of Victoria, badges of the Victoria Police, and ceremonial regalia connected to the Royal Australian Navy and state-level commemorations of events like ANZAC Day.
The arms originated in the late 19th century amid colonial administration under Queen Victoria and were formalized by the colonial government of Victoria (Australia) as settlements and institutions expanded after the Victorian gold rush around Ballarat and Bendigo. Design proposals involved colonial secretaries, heralds associated with the College of Arms, and gubernatorial staffs linked to the Governor of New South Wales and colonial officials who corresponded with the British Cabinet and the Colonial Office. The 1877 grant reflected imperial symbolism common to arms granted to other colonies such as New South Wales and Queensland; later adjustments occurred during federation deliberations involving representatives of Edmund Barton and debates in the Federal Convention (1897–98). In the 20th century, revisions were considered alongside state constitutions, decisions by the Parliament of Victoria, and ceremonial reforms connected to royal visits by members of the House of Windsor including King George V and Queen Elizabeth II. The modern statutory recognition followed administrative processes similar to those for emblems adopted by the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
Heraldic elements reflect ties to monarchical and regional motifs: the crest displays the St Edward's Crown associated with coronations of William IV and later monarchs of the United Kingdom, linking Victorian authority to royal investiture ceremonies. The shield bears the Southern Cross constellation as used in symbols by explorers like Matthew Flinders and navigational charts drawn during voyages of James Cook, asserting geographic identity shared with symbols on the Flag of Australia and the Eureka Flag that resonate with mining communities at Sovereign Hill and the Eureka Stockade. Supporters—marsupials such as the red kangaroo and the emu—parallel fauna featured in arms of the Commonwealth of Australia and reflect representations in natural histories by figures like John Gould and institutions such as the Melbourne Museum. Heraldic tinctures (blue, gold, and argent) follow conventions codified by the College of Arms and used in municipal heraldry of places like Adelaide and Hobart. The motto "Peace and Prosperity" echoes language employed in civic documents of the Victorian Legislative Council and philanthropic charters associated with Melbourne Grammar School and cultural bodies including the National Gallery of Victoria.
Legal status derives from royal warrants, executive instruments signed by the Governor of Victoria, and legislative provisions administered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria). Use by agencies such as the Victoria Police and the Victorian Electoral Commission is regulated through protocols akin to those applying to insignia under statutes like the Arms, Flags and Emblems Act found in other jurisdictions and statutory instruments comparable to regulations enacted by the Parliament of South Australia. Unauthorized commercial use has been restricted by directives from the Attorney-General of Victoria and guidelines issued to the Local Government Victoria network, while ceremonial application is supervised during state visits involving officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and representatives of the Commonwealth Government. Intellectual property considerations intersect with heraldic grants maintained in registers analogous to those held by the College of Arms and governmental archives such as the Public Record Office Victoria.
Multiple official versions exist for distinct contexts: a full achievement for state ceremonies used by the Governor-General when acting in state functions, a simplified shield for stationery of the Premier of Victoria, and monochrome or corporate variants for use by the Victorian TAFE system, public health services like the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and educational institutions such as University of Melbourne. Distinct renditions appear in commemorative coinage produced by the Royal Australian Mint and on insignia for commemorations hosted by cultural festivals like the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Differences follow heraldic practice similar to variant arms adopted by the City of London Corporation, the University of Oxford, and civic arms of Edinburgh, with specific guidance issued by the state’s protocol office and archived exemplars in collections at the State Library Victoria.
Display protocols dictate placement at ceremonial venues including the Victorian Parliament House chamber, judicial settings in the County Court of Victoria, and during investitures presided over by the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria. Flags and banners bearing the arms are used alongside the Flag of Victoria and the Australian National Flag during state funerals and events attended by dignitaries from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and delegations from sister states like New South Wales and Victoria's sister state programs. Protocol covers scale, colour reproduction for broadcasters such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and usage in educational materials produced by institutions such as the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Breaches of protocol may prompt correspondence from the office of the Premier or advisory notes from heritage bodies including Heritage Victoria.
Category:Victoria (Australia) Category:Coats of arms of Australian states