The article in today’s Herald Sun erroneously reported that Yarra Council employs "flag marshals", implying that additional staff had been employed to carry out flag-related tasks.

This is simply untrue.

Like other Councils across Victoria, this task is the responsibility of our existing venues staff who are responsible for managing all town hall events, including administration, event coordination, logistics, as well as changing flags when required. The process of replacing community flags on flag poles takes approximately five minutes.

Yarra City Council’s Civic Flag Policy demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Our flags represent our community’s varied history, identity and diversity.

Almost 30% of our community speak a language other than English at home, and 10% of our community identify as LGBTIQA+.

Yarra’s Civic Flag Policy was endorsed in July 2023. The Policy is designed to govern the flying of flags at Council’s Town Halls, Civic Flagpoles and other facilities. It also helps inform decision making when Council is considering requests for flying flags of significance to the Yarra community.

Yarra remains committed to flying flags which align with Council’s values and policies. The flying of flags symbolise identity, ensure people in our community feel heard and seen, promote respect and inclusion for all, raise awareness and create a sense of community pride.

The Australian National flag, the Australian Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flags are flown at each town hall every day, except for three days of the year.

Yarra City Council has flagpoles located at Richmond, Collingwood, and Fitzroy, and recently installed 4 new flagpoles at Clifton Hill at just under $8,000.