Designs for the flag was publicly sought for in 1901 at the time of independence, and five pieces that were selected from over 30,000 ideas world-wide were used as the base model. The base design is the Blue Ensign, in which the Union Flag is depicted in the upper left and on a blue field, and underneath the Union Flag is the seven pointed star that represent the six federal states and other regions. In the lower right are five Souther Cross stars.