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The Coat of Arms of the Canberra was created by the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs and Territories in 1927, in response to a request by the Commonwealth Department of Defence, who wanted to use it on the newly commissioned HMAS Canberra.

The Federal Capital Commission (FCC) announced a competition to design a Coat of Arms for both the ACT and the FCC.

In April 1928 the designed of one Mr C. R. Wylie was sent to the College of Arms, in London, for approval. The coat of arms at this stage did not include a motto. After minor adjustments, the College granted the design, minus an actual Royal Warrant, dated 8 October 1928. The Coat of Arms was officially granted on 7 November 1928, along with a Crest.

The various symbols of the Coat-of-Arms are explained below:

• The crown symbolises Vice-Regal authority;

• The mace symbolises the Parliament of Australia;

• The sword symbolises the Australian Defence Force;

• The castle has three towers, symbolise the three branches of government (executive, legislature and judiciary);

• The white rose is the badge of the Duke of York, who opened the old Parliament of Australia building in 1927;

• The crowned portcullis again symbolises the parliament, this being the traditional symbol of the Palace of Westminster (which houses the Parliament of the United Kingdom);

• Behind the portcullis is a tree, symbolises Canberra's nickname "The Bush Capital";

• The supporters are the Australian black swan, representing the Australian Aborigines, and the European white swan, representing the white settlers.

• In the early 1930s the motto "Pro Rege, Lege et Grege", which was mistakenly believed to mean "For the King, the Law and the People" was used by the FCC. However when it was pointed out in 1935 that it actually meant "For the King, the Law and the mob", the English version was unofficially adopted.

• ACT Chief Minister's Department