Bayside Council will seek funding for the restoration of the historic WW1 Patriotic Flag recently found stored at Lydham Hall, Bexley.
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It is hoped the flag will be placed on permanent display in the lobby at Rockdale Town Hall.
The cost of the restoration treatment and to have the flag framed for display purposes is approximately $15,000.
In a Notice of Motion lodged at last Wednesday's Bayside Council meeting,Councillor Liz Barlow said the WW1 Patriotic Flag forms an important part of the City's history and needs to be restored for future generations to appreciate.
During World War 1,in 1915, residents organised a "Bexley Patriotic Flag" in an effort to raise money for the war effort.
Members of the Bexley Community donated the sum of one pound to have their name embroidered on the flag.
A total of 59 names are embroidered on the flag including:
. R. W. Churchill - Richard Churchill, Bexley Council's Town Clerk,
. E. Larbalastier - the child of John Larbalestier, Mayor of Bexley 1900-1902,
. T. Kenwood and Mabel Kenwood - the children of William Kenwood, the Bexley architect who designed many heritage-listed local homes, including 'St Elmo' in Harrow Road.
The flag was only recently rediscovered after being lost for many years.
"This is a treasure that was found in a cupboard behind a chimney at Lydham Hall," Cr Barlow said.
"The restoration is up to $15,000. It is very fragile. I think some of the RSLs would be interested and I'm starting the donations with $1,000 as well because I think it is history we need to preserve and it's been missing for quite a few years," Cr Barlow said.
Cr Andrew Tsounis, who found the flag, described it as totally unique.
"It is the living record of a group of people. It tells the story of a local community of Bexley who at the time had loved ones who were away at war fighting in foregn lands many, many thousands of miles away," he said.
"It's a record vastly different from the war memorial commemoration stones. It tells a story of hope and support from the home front - the story of local Bexley residents who came together to support the troops.
"For this reason the flag needs to be preserved. Once we unravel the names on there and do a bit of diligence and homework, it will tell the story of 59 people including a few children who were residents of Bexley.
"It it should be cleaned and preserved and placed under glass by the 3rd of September, 2021 which is the proclamation day for the National Flag."
The councillors unanimously agreed to support the move to seek funding to restore and frame the WW1 Patriotic Flag for display purposes and ensure the important piece of the city's history is preserved for future generations to appreciate.
