What is the Queensland emblem?

The state emblems of Queensland include the Cooktown orchid (Vappodes phalaenopsis) as floral emblem, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) as animal emblem, the brolga (Antigone rubicunda) as bird emblem, and the sapphire as gemstone emblem. The Queensland coat of arms includes a red deer and a brolga as supporters and the motto 'Audax at Fidelis' (bold but faithful).

The Cooktown orchid was proclaimed the state floral emblem on 19 November 1959 to mark the centenary of separation from New South Wales. The species is an epiphytic orchid that grows on trees and rocks in tropical north Queensland near Cooktown, with sprays of bright pink to mauve flowers that bloom from late autumn into winter. The orchid features on Queensland-issued school logos and government emblems.

The koala was adopted as the Queensland animal emblem in 1971. Although the marsupial is found across eastern Australia, the Queensland population is regarded as distinct and is now listed as endangered under federal environmental law following the 2019 to 2020 Black Summer fires that destroyed about a third of south-east Queensland habitat. The brolga, a tall grey crane that performs elaborate mating dances, was added as bird emblem in 1986 and is found across the wetlands and grasslands of northern and eastern Australia.

Sapphire became Queensland's gemstone emblem in 1985. The Anakie sapphire fields in central Queensland are one of the world's largest sources of commercial sapphire and produce stones in blue, yellow, green, and parti-coloured varieties. Mining at Anakie, Rubyvale, Sapphire, and the Willows began in the 1870s and continues with both commercial and fossicking operations. The state's marine emblem is the great barrier anemone fish, and the state aquatic emblem is the barramundi, both reflecting Queensland's strong marine and freshwater fishing tradition.