Darwin

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DARWIN

State : Northern Territory

Official blazon

Arms : Gules, on a Fess per pale Azure and Argent between in chief a Castle also Argent, the Portcullis raised Sable, and in base a Sun irradiated Or within an Annulet likewise Argent, a Wooden Aeroplane Propellor of early pattern erect proper, winged Argent, and on Water harry wavy proper a Sailing Ship of two masts in full sail also proper.
Crest : Out of a Mural Crown proper a Mariner's Compass Gules, the Rose Or, the Needle pointing to the North also Gules. Mantling: Gules, doubled Argent.
Supporters : On the dexter side an Australian Aborigine with tribal markings proper holding in the exterior hand a Native Shield and supporting by the interior hand a Spear point upwards also proper, and on the sinister side a British Settler supporting with the exterior hand a Pick and Shovel likewise proper.
Motto: 'Progrediamur'.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on December 9, 1959.

The fortress in the upper part of the shield indicates the former importance of Darwin as an army settlement. The sailing ship signifies that the harbour is of great importance to the city. The propellor signifies Darwin's airport. The sun encircled by an annulet is taken from the arms of Charles Darwin.

The crest shows a compass pointing north, indicating that the city is the northernmost city in Australia.

The supporters are an Aboriginal and a European miner, symbolising the original population and the importance of mining in the area.