South Melbourne

SOUTH MELBOURNE

State : Victoria
Incorporated into : 1994 Port Phillip

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on February 3, 1967.

The shield is based on earlier arms assumed by Melbourne, with a colour change from black and gold to red and white, the colors of both the city and its former football team 'the Swans'. The Southern Cross is drawn from the State arms and flag badge, its position above the white bar indicating that the City is south of the capital, Melbourne. The ship presents the sea, southern boundary of the municipality, with its facilities for swimming and water sports. The crest represents Emerald Hill, the original name of the municipality and the site of the Town Hall. The two lions also come from the Melbourne arms, though with a change in color and the cogwheels for industry of the collar. The pencils refer to the Victorian Arts Centre, northern gateway to the City, and the honey bees to service, particularly social service. The motto was first used on the city seal of 1883.