I love this country I live in, Australia.
I would not trade it for anywhere else in the world.
Which is why this one thing in particular really annoys me.
The Australian flag is the national flag. It is what we represent ourselves with internationally, it is an icon and our national emblem.
Soldiers in the armed forces have fought over decades to protect the flag and for all that it stands for, the country and its residents. The heroes at Gallipoli to the men and women in every conflict since.
We have a rich and diverse history, from our beginnings as a convict colony to the multicultural pot that we are now. And it's a fantastic nation.
However, I must return to the flag.
The Australian flag is not a fashion accessory, it is not a 'pattern'. It is not meant for tshirts, bikinis, thongs and all the other disgraceful uses of it.
When you have an Australian flag, do not wear it as a garment. Do not transfer it onto clothing. It is our national emblem, it is what unites us and represents us in international community.
I do not believe that the soldiers in various wars have fought hard and lost their lives to protect the right for the flag to be marketed on all sorts of tacky product from fashion to cups and everything in between.
Please, have some respect for the flag, embrace our national identity.