Here are some large images of the coat of arms of Australia and those of each state and territory. I had trouble finding high resolution versions of them on the Internet, particularly the state and territory coats of arms. So I’ve uploaded these to correct matters.
If you are a cub or scout in Australia you need to understand the composition of your state’s coats of arms. Not easy when the only printable resources are tiny – even from government websites.
West Australia
A shield has a black swan floating on a blue base. It is supported by two red kangaroos each holding a boomerang. Atop is a crest with a royal crown flanked by kangaroo paw flowers. The crest sits on a black and gold wreath.
Victoria
A blue shield shows the five stars of the Southern cross. It is supported by two female figures (peace and prosperity). Pink heath grows from the grassy mound below. Above the shield is a wreath of silver and blue and the torso of a Kangaroo holding a crown.
Tasmania
A shield bears a branch of hops, a sheath of wheat, a ram, apples and a thunderbolt. The shield is supported by two Tasmanian tigers. Atop is a crest on which a red lion holds a pick and shovel.
South Australia
The piping shrike appears on a shield in the centre of the arms. Above is a crest of 4 springs of Sturt's desert pea mounted on a wreath of red, blue and gold. The arms is atop a grassy mound, on which stand grape vines, stalks of wheat and barley, citrus fruits, two cog wheels and a miners pick. Below is a scroll bearing the name South Australia.
Queensland
A shield in quadrants has a sheaf of wheat, the heads of a bull and ram, and a column of gold rising from a heap of quartz. Above is a crest showing the state badge of the royal crown and a Maltese cross framed by two stalks of sugar cane. On either side of the shield is a red deer and a brolga.
Northern Territory
A shield has a line drawing of a woman taken from sacred aboriginal rock art. The woman is flanked by tribal motifs. Two red kangaroos support the shield and each holds a seashell. They are standing on a sandy mound and at their feet grows Sturt's desert rose. Atop is a crest showing a wedge tailed eagle perched on a carved symbol stone, below which is a wreath of silver and ochre.
New South Wales
A lion and kangaroo support a shield containing the state badge. In its corners are sheaves of wheat and golden fleeces. Atop is a crest showing the rising sun and below it a wreath in silver and blue.
Norfolk Island
A shield with two stars shine upon a central Norfolk pine tree. It is supported by a lion and a kangaroo. Above is a crest of silver and blue on top of which is a lion holding a cup.
Australian Capital Territory
A shield shows a crossed sword and mace, a three towered castle and the rose of York. Atop is a wreath on which sits a crowned portcullis. A gum tree is behind the portcullis. The shield is supported by two swans. One black and one white.
Australia
A kangaroo and emu stand either side of a central shield that has the symbols of Australia's 6 states woven into it. On the shield is the black swan of Western Australia, the lion and stars of New South Wales, Victoria's Southern cross, The Maltese cross and crown of Queensland, the walking lion of Tasmania and the piping shrike of South Australia. A gold commonwealth star appears above the shield.
Kim’s Game – Coat of Arms
When you examine a coat of arms it’s remarkable how many symbols it contains. It’s a bit of a dry subject for scouting, but they do make a surprisingly good Kim’s game. Just download and print any of the PDFs below and you are all set to go. There is one for each state and territory. Give one to your cubs or scouts and let them have a minute to study it. Then allow them a few minutes to recall as many symbols as they can. If you remind them that every symbol and even colour on a coat of arms is somehow representative of its state or territory it will help jog their memory.
Of course times change, and in some instances symbols on a coat of arms become historic representations. As a variation you can play part one of the game, but instead of getting them to recall what they remember do a true or false by calling out actual symbols as well as symbols that might be on the coat of arms if it were redesigned today. It’s amazing what the powers of suggestion can achieve. All the cubs will be convinced the colours of the wreath are the same as the local football team and that a Holden lion was in there somewhere.