Historical information
The flag was donated by Mrs A. M. Mitchell Craigwood Convalescent Hospital Como WA
"This flag was made by my Grandmother, Elizabeth Nicholls nee Tallack. It was used as a decoration to welcome Lord
Hopeton (Hopetown) to Sandford sometime previous to 1883, when he was still a Viscount. I can't remember his name.
No doubt Mr H.K. Kahan is no doubt quite correct in these dates and could find no record of the earlier visit.
My mother Phillippa was a young girl at the time and sang at the concert in his honor "Will ye no come back again". It
must have been before 1883 because in that year at the age of 18 she married. After the concert he asked that the
young lady and her mother be presented. Next day he came to afternoon tea. A great honor in those days".
Phillippa Tallack Nicholls was born 1865, Sandford, and married in 1883 to Patrick Maguire. (Digger Pioneer Index 1836
to 1888).
There was a Royal Visit in 1881 by the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of York and their party to the district and this
appears to be the visit that Mrs Mitchell is referring to.
In 2005, Casterton and District Historical Society Inc. donated the flag to the Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
for the citizens of Casterton.
Physical description
Five 5-pointed stars forming the constellation of the Southern Cross on a field of royal blue. Four strips of red cloth
edged in white form a Union Jack design in the upper left corner. Mounted on white cotton backing, under perspex
in timber frame.
