Suns rise could be a false dawn
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...dawn-amid-army-logo-clash-20101002-161yk.html
Suns rise could be a false dawn amid army logo clash
Daniel Lane
October 3, 2010
THE Gold Coast AFL team could be asked to prove its logo is not a rip-off of the Australian Army's iconic Rising Sun badge after two high-profile veterans expressed their concern about an apparent link between the images.
Ironically, the club did not use its preferred Sharks option because it feared golfer Greg Norman's trademark Great White Shark presented potential legal hurdles.
However, former RSL president Rusty Priest and NSW politician Charlie Lynn, who regularly leads treks to the Kokoda Track to help educate people about the the sacrifices of the Diggers, said the Rising Sun emblem was sacred to all Australians and its likeness should not be used by a football team.
The team's nickname, The Suns, could be interpreted as further proof the team's logo is a hybrid of the famous badge worn by Australian troops into military campaigns since the Boer War.
Lynn, a Vietnam veteran whose nephew Michael Voss is coach of the Brisbane Lions, said now the issue of the logo had been raised it warranted discussion.
''I believe the Australian War Memorial has the licensing right over the Rising Sun badge and [any use] would need to be approved,'' Lynn said.
''I think anyone would take a dim view of that emblem being used by any football team. It's a sacred image for all Australians.
''Football today is big business and I'll certainly be looking into it.''
Under section 83 of the Defence Act 1903, permission must be obtained from the office of the Chief of Army by a person or organisation wanting to use any version of the Rising Sun emblem.
The army's web page says of the badge: ''it is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC'', while Priest added it was a precious symbol and of national significance.
''If they want the sun they can take it from out of the sky,'' the WWII serviceman said.
''I wore it [the badge] in the army, and under no circumstances could I condone it being used in any shape or form by a football team. It should be riot in the street type stuff if it has.''
As RSL president, Priest succeeded in ensuring Anzac Day remained important to the younger generation while he also fought hard to ensure impostors were fined if caught wearing campaign medals they weren't entitled to.
In the US, native American groups have unsuccessfully tried to force sporting teams such as the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians to change their logos.
However, the Australian government has been protective of anything that could be seen to exploit the nation's military heritage.
When businesses tried to use the name Anzac to promote their products during the First World War, the government introduced legislation outlawing the practice.
The government even forbade a woman from calling her private residence ''Anzac'' in honour of her son who died while leading his men at the Gallipoli landing.
The Gold Coast, who successfully recruited so-called ''Sun of God'' Gary Ablett during the week, is believed to have preferred the name Sharks, but didn't want to be confused with rugby league team Cronulla while there was also the added concern Greg Norman might sue for a breach of copyright.
At the unveiling of the team's jumpers, logo and nickname in July the club's CEO Travis Auld said the nickname best reflected the club's five key principles: ''relentless, dependable, community, bold and fresh''.
''Our name reflects all of these,'' Auld told journalists. ''There were a whole number of names thrown up, but halfway through the process the name Suns came up and it was so damn obvious. It represents all our values and the great element of the Gold Coast, the reason people come here. But don't just think of that warm and cuddly part of the sun, there is a whole other side to the sun, it is relentless and fierce and uncompromising which is what we want to be.''