The segment profiles David Julian Price, a resident of Floreat who describes himself as the “flag man” and a self‑taught vexillologist. He explains that his fascination with flags began in childhood and solidified when, on his 50th birthday, he finally received a flagpole—a request his wife thought was a joke. Since then he flies a different flag each day, often aligning the flag with personal or historical events (e.g., Wales flag for the anniversary of the first steam train, a birthday flag for his daughter’s 18th). He stores about 240 flags at home, most purchased cheaply on eBay for under $10, and maintains a large 4.5‑metre pole for major occasions like Australia Day. Notable flags include the uniquely shaped Nepal flag, a pink elephant holding champagne, and a requested Channel 7 flag. Neighbours and anonymous community members send thank‑you cards, appreciating the colour and joy his displays bring. Price embraces his reputation as the eccentric street‑corner flag enthusiast, viewing the hobby as a way to add colour, interest, and smiles to everyday life.
Chapters
I'm the flag man from Floreat. And so let us rejoice. It's funny, some people say that it's an obsession. I don't think it's obsessive at all.
So tell me what you really think about Dad's flag flying.
Well, he's really crazy.
It's a secret love affair that started when he was a child. David Price is a vexillologist.
It comes from the Latin vexillum, which means, surprise, surprise, flag. So vexillologist is a person who studies or collects flags or has an interest in flags.
For years, he told his wife all he wanted for his birthday was a flagpole.
On my 50th birthday, which was 12 years ago, she said, what do you want for your birthday? It's your 50th. And I said, a flagpole. And she said, I thought you were joking all these years. And I said, no, I've never been joking. I'd like a flagpole.
So she didn't know that she was married to a vexillologist?
She— well, I wasn't a vexillologist then, was I?
Now he's Floriatt's fully fledged flag flyer. Since then, David's found a reason to fly a different flag every day.
Today, for instance, is the anniversary of the first steam train running in Wales. Now, if it were not my daughter's 18th birthday, I would be flying the Wales flag, but I'm flying the happy birthday flag today.
What an honour on your 18th birthday to have your very own flag.
Yeah, I get it every year, so it's alright.
Inside the house, safely filed away and meticulously labelled, are David's 240 flags.
I think I have a reputation in the street as the eccentric old guy up the street, and I wear that with a badge of pride. I quite like Being the eccentric guy in the street.
Who knew that Denmark has the oldest national flag? Or that February 18th is Nepal's National Day? Geez, that Nepal one's a ripper.
Well, the Nepal flag's interesting. That's the only national flag in the world that is not a rectangle. It doesn't fly that well, but it looks interesting.
David Price, making vexillology great again.
Well, the Trump one is interesting. I get Quite a few comments about that, but mainly from people who are amazed that I haven't had a firebomb thrown at the house.
Australia Day is the highlight when up to a dozen flagpoles bathe the whole house in national pride. This one is the biggest, an impressive 4.5 metres.
I have to be careful when I fly that because on a windy day, of course, it can actually bend the flagpole. Not that it ever has because I've monitored that.
You might be surprised to learn that the neighbours love it.
I think they're absolutely fantastic. It's a different day every day and you could be in any part of the world.
I get Christmas cards in the letterbox from anonymous people thanking me for the flags.
It isn't an expensive hobby. David finds most of them on eBay for less than $10. And this, you tell me, is your favourite flag?
Yes, the pink elephant. Look, who could not have fun with this? It's a pink elephant holding a glass of champagne.
Well, David, I've got a surprise for you. Would you do me the honour of flying the Channel 7 flag?
Oh wow, absolutely. I would, uh, I'd be— I'd love to fly that.
I think it'll look magnificent out the front of your house.
It will look magnificent.
Whether it's a plug for Channel 7 or a soft drink company, David says the aim is to make people smile.
I just want to add a bit of colour and a bit of interest to life.
He's always been weird. So I just put up with it.
I find an excuse for anything. And of course, if I can't find an excuse and I feel like a party, I've got a flag that says it's 5 o'clock somewhere. Don't worry, be happy.
