The 20th and the 27th of October 2010 are two significant dates to mark on our calendars as dates that are benchmarks in Norfolk Island’s evolution.

The 20th of October 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of the granting and assigning of the Armorial Ensigns for Norfolk Island by Her Majesty the Queen at Court on board H.M. Yacht Britannia on 20 October 1980.


The Royal Warrant describes the Armorial Ensigns as follows, quote:

“Arms: Per chevron Azure and Argent in chief two Mullets of the Cast and in base issuant from a Rocky Mount charged with a Book expanded proper edged Or leathered Gules a Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria excelsa) proper And for the Crest Out of a Naval Crown Azure a demi Lion Or gorged with a Laurel Wreath proper and holding a Covered Cup Or, and for Supporters On the dexter side a Lion and on the sinister side a Kangaroo proper each resting the exterior foreleg on an Anchor erect Azure”. End quote

On 22 January 1981 the Chief Minister of Norfolk Island issued a memorandum advising that The Queen had signed the Royal Warrant granting Arms to Norfolk Island. By the same memorandum, it was advised that the Norfolk Island Coat of Arms should be used in Norfolk Island circumstances in lieu of the Australian Coat of Arms. The Chief Minister instructed the Norfolk Island Coat of Arms should appear, inter alia, on –

a) All stationary of the Norfolk Island Administration;
b) All forms, especially formal certificates and licences used and issued by the Administration (unless of a minor nature in which no Coat of Arms is used);
c) On the title page of printed enactments;
d) In addition, uniformed staff should incorporate the Norfolk Island Coat of Arms on shoulder flashes, pockets or otherwise as appropriate (e.g. Police, Norfolk Island Customs, Quarantine, Fire officers, etc). Government instrumentalities not part of the Administration are allowed to use the Coat of Arms.

Quoting from a letter dated 11 February 1987 from the Garter, Principal King of Arms, London, “The Armorial Bearings have become those of Norfolk Island by the highest authority, that of Her Majesty The Queen and they are entered in the Records of the College of Arms accordingly, the concern of the College and the Kings of Arms being that the Laws of Arms in such respect should be observed……The entitlement to bear and use Armorial Bearings is an honour in the nature of a Dignity…” end quote.

A small exhibition of pertinent memorabilia, including a copy of the Warrant, is being mounted by our Museum Curator Mrs Lisa Richards in the ante-chamber to the Legislative Assembly Chamber and will be available for viewing by arrangement with the Clerk to the Legislative Assembly, Mrs Gaye Evans JP, from Wednesday 20th October.

The Supreme Court Act (Norfolk Island) was assented to in 1960 – 50 years ago and a number of activities have been arranged by His Honour the Administrator in consultation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chief Minister of the Norfolk Island Government between the 26th and 28th of October 2010 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court in Norfolk Island. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island, the Hon. Peter Jacobson, the Hon. Justice Gary Downes AM and the Hon Justice Bruce Lander will join us to commemorate the Anniversary. In addition to meeting with Members of the Assembly at morning tea on the 26th of October, the Justices will be guests of the Legislative Assembly when they participate in debate on the floor of the House at a Ceremonial Sitting of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 27th October at 11 am. The Sitting will be broadcast live from Kingston. A Ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island will follow.

Part VII of the Norfolk Island 1979 (Commonwealth) deals with the Judicial System on Norfolk Island including the Constitution of the Supreme Court, Appointment of Judges and their remuneration and allowances, and of course the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. If you would like to find out more the link to the Norfolk Island Act 1979 is http://admindata/legislation/NorfolkIslandAct.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 15 October 2010 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com/

Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf