Brisbane

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Capital and chief port of the state of Queensland, Australia; population (2001 est) 1,627,500. Brisbane is situated on the east coast of Australia, 14 km/9 mi inland of the mouth of the River Brisbane, about 29 km/18 mi south of Moreton Bay. It is the third-largest city in Australia, and the financial and commercial centre for Queensland; it is also the major manufacturing centre of the state, with diverse industries including shipbuilding, engineering, oil refining, brewing, food processing, tobacco production, tanning, the manufacture of motor vehicles, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, shoes, and clothing. As well as industrial products, including processed foods, the port exports large quantities of wool and cereals. Tourism is also important. A pipeline from Moonie carries oil for refining. Brisbane has three universities, Queensland University (1909), Griffith University (1975), and Queensland University of Technology (1989).

History
Brisbane was founded as a penal colony (moved from its original site at Moreton Bay in 1825), and named after the Scottish astronomer Thomas Brisbane, governor of New South Wales 1821–25. The convict settlement was broken up in 1839, and free settlers were admitted from 1842. In 1859, when Queensland became a separate colony from New South Wales, Brisbane was chosen as the state capital. Brisbane city council, the first greater city council in Australia, was created in 1925, and the city of Brisbane is Australia's largest municipality.

The cog-wheel and rice plant stand for industry and agriculture. The stars represent the 14 states. Blue symbolizes peace. Red denotes courage. Effective date: 4 January 1974. >>