SLIM Dusty coined it, the late JP ‘Jim’ Kent borrowed it and this week, the phrase will once again ring true as Casterton’s famous Fleur de Lys or Scout emblem, gets a new lease on life – set to be re-illuminated after several months out of action.
Unlit for a period of time due to technical issues - and not for the first time in its history - this week the landmark, with its 91-metre circumference, was fitted with new lights, which should see it retaining its glow on the hill, well into the future.
Known by several names including ‘Blueberry’ and ‘Toorak Hill’, Casterton’s history of decorating the rise at the eastern end of town began in 1935, when the words ‘The King’ were carved into the hill, to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V and the Scoutmaster at the time organised for the local Scouts and Cubs to march from the post office to the top of the hill where they proceeded to light up the words, using chemical-soaked rags in kerosene tins.
According to the late JP, this was then expanded upon when, acting under instructions of the Scout Masters, Jack Peart and Eric O’Connell, the local Scout group dug out the outline of their emblem and each year following they would laboriously light up this emblem on Empire evening, using tins filled with flammable rags placed in the outline.
“Cr Tom Howlett is credited with the idea of electric illumination of the outline following the SEC bringing electric supply to nearly Moodie Street,” Mr Kent wrote.
Glenelg Shire Councillor Karen Stephens, whose residence sits atop the hill and not far from the famous local landmark said the relighting of the Scout emblem was vital to maintaining an important element in Casterton’s identity.
“It’s such an iconic thing and totally unique to our town,” she said.
“We have an identity now as a Kelpie town, but the ‘big light on the hill’ has been an identifier for visitors to Casterton for almost a century and even if they don’t know what it means or why it’s there, visitors remember this landmark.
“While it has gone through several transformations – the original kerosene tins, the first electrical lights, the colour-changing lights – even during the day, it is something that visitors look for and photographs of that view down Henty Street, with the Fleur de Lys the focal point, are some of most iconic photographs of our town, in existence.
“It is wonderful to see council taking the importance of this landmark on board and committing to work which will ensure the lights on the hill continue to shine for many years.”
