Historical information

This flag was used by St Joseph's School, Orbost at assemblies. St Joseph's Catholic School in Orbost was planned from 1913 when the town's population was increasing rapidly. It wasn't until 1923 that the school was built in Raymond Street next to St Colman's Church. Fifty-five students were initially enrolled and taught in two rooms. When the numbers increased to 170 work began on extensions which were completed in 1959.
St Joseph's school had classes to Form 4 at one stage. Later on Form 2 was the highest level. However, after Nagle College at Bairnsdale built a new school on the Lindenow Road site, a Nagle College school bus ran from Orbost and the school was reduced to Grade 6. It was also about this time that the last of the St Joseph teaching nuns left Orbost. From 1969 to the early 1980s the secondary St Joseph students attended Orbost High School for the practical subjects of Woodwork and Home Economics.
Today enrolments reflect the declining population of the district.

Significance

This item is an example of an item used in an Orbost school in the second half of 20th century.

Physical description

A cloth Australian National Flag which has a blue background. The Union Jack is in the upper left corner. Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth
Star. The Southern Cross is shown on the right hand side of the flag in white. There is a white rope and two metal clips inserted into the left hand pocket/seam.

Inscriptions & markings

Inside a diamond is N.V. BRAND. Geo. PICKERS Co. P/L
CANVAS