In the centre of the  picture of the Kangaroos arriving at the Yass Mechanics Hall (Institute), on 15/12/1915,  held by the Yass Historical Society it is possible to see a banner carried by one of  the recruits of the 1915 Kangaroo March. A close up of the banner reveals the work of a master artisan, male or female. It is a vivid,visually appealing, carefully balanced example of World War 1 recruiting march standards. 

This banner features the crossed Union Jack and Australian flags unfurled on either side of a belted medallion containing an alert, upright buck kangaroo and a grazing possibly female 'roo in the background. Emblazoned on the belt is the name of the marching recruits, Wagga Wagga Kangaroos. The crown sits in the centre immediately above the medallion between the 2 cord beribboned flags, the Union Jack of Great Britain and the Australian flag with its small Union Jack, Southern Cross and Star of Federation. A boomerang, a war and hunting tool of the Aboriginal tribes of Australia inscribed with the words, "I go out to return" link the two flags. "By courage and by faith" echoes the shape of the boomerang and fills the space on the dark background between the boomerang and the crown. "For King and Country" was embroidered on the ribbon scrolling at the base of the medallion. (banner)  

It was a recruiting banner. Its message graphically communicated the call to defend the country. The banner was made to appeal to a rural population who could read in the central pastoral medallion with its pricked eared and listening, upright buck, the call to be ready to defend the King and the Country. The kangaroo symbolised young, bright, quick-witted, energetic courageous, young men and the surrounding words completed the description. (banner)  

The heavy, masculine quality of the belt surrounding the pastoral idyll, enhances the banner's central focus. The belt, that article of clothing that held a man's britches up, could punishingly flog the most perverse wrong doers.  And just as the buck aggressively defends his territory so Australian men were being called to put the Germans back into place. (banner)  

In contrast to the belt's encircling and tough masculinity, the lovely, softly draping, feminine quality in the unfurled flags alluded to home and hearth and heart. Both flags are of equal weight balanced on either side of the medallion intimating that the little Britain of the southern hemisphere was in partnership with Great Britain. Symbolically echoing the pricked ears of the alert kangaroo, the flags are unfurled; the nations they represent were ready for the action. The decorative cords alluded to the umbilical cord linking mother and child, Great Britain, the Motherland and Australia, her now mature (the cords are not joined) offspring. (banner)  

The boomerang, entwined in the cords of the flags suggested that because of the ties binding the two countries Australia, was sending its men, weapons themselves. And to allay home front fears that the enlisted would not return the words "I go out to return" signified that they were returning  boomerangs, a specific type of hunting tool. It is significant that the boomerang and the shape echoing words, "By Courage and Faith" are positioned above the  crown of Edward I (known as Edward the Confessor). This crown is used ceremonially at the coronation of the monarch and is ladened with historical imagery of kingship including "God's annointed" - the one chosen by God.  The Australian soldier, a mighty war weapon would  protect the King and all that he represented, treasures beyond price, worthy of supreme sacrifice.  (banner)