Flags a mark of respect

I commend this newspaper’s continuing coverage of many items related to the huge loss of property and 173 human lives on Black Saturday, 7 February 2009.
These memories will remain.
The Australian National and Indigenous flags flew at half-mast on Saturday, 7 February, 2015, outside the Yarra Ranges Council’s Lilydale office and Yarra Glen Community Hall as a mark of respect.
I know, because I walked past both of the building several times on memorial Saturday this year.
Yarra Glen and District Men’s Shed received substantial funding to enable the establishment of a program for district males, including those affected one way or another by the Black Saturday fires.
A suitable program for men with fire-related mental health issues was given as a strong reason pursuing donations and pitching for the 220sqm workshop to be build, an add-on to the west end of Gary Cooper basketball pavilion in McKenzie Reserve.
The shed members have built their own flagpole and brick retaining wall in public soil carved out of an environmental safety island dividing the pavilion parking space in McKenzie Reserve.
Mr Tony Smith, MP for Casey, presented the Yarra Glen and District Men’s Shed with an Australian ensign many, many weeks before the official opening.
The national flag should be flown in conjunction with all major events, including official days of mourning, Australia Day, Anzac Day, Remembrance Day – and whenever local government (Yarra Ranges) directs.
The Yarra Glen shed is public property leased from council.
I observed on Saturday, 7 February 2015, no Australian or other flag flying on the mast outside the shed.
Could Yarra Ranges Council, and MP for Casey Tony Smith, confirm in writing all the official protocols concerning, who, when and where any flag can be flown?
Noel Buchanan,
Yarra Glen.