Casterton - Mickle Lookout and Fleur De Lys Emblem
High above the town centre, Casterton's Mickle Lookout offers a prime photo opportunity with magnificent views looking straight down the main street. The view back to the lookout from the main street is also interesting, especially at night when the huge 'Fleur De Lys' (Scout) emblem is illuminated. It measures an amazing 91.5 metres (300 feet) in circumference.
Though some believe the Emblem was carved into the hill in 1935, this is not correct. It was actually the words, "The King" that were carved into the hill, in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The following editorial is an extract from the Casterton News of May 9, 1935.
IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY
"THE KING" IN LETTERS OF FIRE - INTERESTING SCOUTS DEMONSTRATION
At night, organised by the Boy Scouts, under Group Scoutmaster E Connell, a most interesting demonstration was given on Toorak Hill, fitting in with the arrangement throughout the State for a chain of bonfires to be lighted at a given time. The proceedings started by the Scouts and Cubs assembling at the Casterton Post Office at 7.30pm....They then marched in procession to the top of Toorak Hill, where overlooking the town considerable preparation had been made for a unique display. The Casterton Vice Regal Band and the Glenelg Scottish Pipe Band rendered marches en route. The words - "The King" - had been carved in the side of the hill overlooking the town. The letters were 20 feet long and had been dug in the earth to a depth of nine inches. Some difficulty was experienced in getting the letters alight, but eventually each blazed out to make an impressive loyal display, which was witnessed by a large crowd on Toorak Hill. The letters blazed for a considerable time and at 8 o'clock standard time the beacon fire was lighted. A display of fireworks also took place and an interesting programme was carried out. The whole concluded with prayers from the Scout's prayer book, led by Rev S Selwyn Harris. The National Anthem followed by "Auld Lang Syne" concluded a really national display quite worthy of the event which it celebrated.
The Scout Emblem was dug by the Casterton Boy Scouts to celebrate the opening of their new Scout Hall in 1941. On Saturday afternoon, September 20, 1941, the Scouts cut out the Emblem.
The marking outline of the Fleur de Lys was placed by the Scouts, with the control point from the middle of Henty Street and signalled by semaphore. On October 2, 1941, the official opening date of the Scout Hall, Scouts carried tins of oil soaked rags through the town and up the hill. Each tin was lit and placed around the emblem. The lighting took place at 7:30 that evening. When the emblem was "at the its brilliance", a column of 30 Scouts and 20 Cubs marched from the Post Office to the new Hall. This was the beginning of the lights at night, which only occurred annually.
On Friday February 9, 1973, a new flicker-type lighting was tested on the Scouts' Emblem (showing that 15-watt globes were more effective than 25-watt globes). Since that time, the Glenelg Shire Council has had strip lighting installed, replacing the globe system. This new technology allows a series of sequences for the lights to be programmed. The Fleur de Lys is set on a timer, with the lights disappearing from the hillside around midnight each evening.
Mickle Lookout is located on the northern side of town. Head off the highway along Robertson St and turn left into Moodie Street.
Photos:
Location
17 Arundel Road, Casterton 3311 Map
