The design won a competition organised by the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC), who invited Taungurung artists to create a flag representing their people and country.
Announcing Loraine Padgham as the successful artist in a statement on Friday, TLaWC wrote that it “comes at a pivotal moment following speculation that there is a risk in the Aboriginal flag becoming invisible due to legal battles over the use of the iconic image”.
“Having your own flag for your own Indigenous nation is becoming the norm across the world instilling cultural pride in our identity,” TLaWC Chair Grant Hansen said.
“The flag brings together all people within the central Victorian highlands and the Taungurung clans. It is an exciting concept to be embraced by all.”
The new design - which beat 35 designs in a vote by TLaWC members - represents the Constellation of Pleiades (The Seven Sisters) resting on an Ochre coloured background, with a yellow curved line representing ‘the ascent of the Taungurung people’.
In a statement Ms Padgham said her design was meant to be an inclusive representation of Taungurung people.
“Over the past decades, the Taungurung people have reclaimed their identity and rightful place in the history of Victoria,” she said.
“I hope [the flag] will grow to symbolise the difficulties experienced by past generations and the opportunities that arise for the future generations.”
The new design comes as a select committee looking into the copyright and licensing arrangements for the Aboriginal flag design prepares to report back to Parliament on options the government has in ensuring its "fair use".
Recently a Senate Inquiry heard a range of voices discussing the future use of the Aboriginal flag, with a consensus that it should be controlled by an Aboriginal body in the future.
Luritja man Harold Thomas currently holds copyright for the Aboriginal flag's design, with exclusive licensing for the design's reproduction on clothing held by non-Indigenous company WAM Clothing.
