Welsh Banner

This banner is part of the Migration Museum's Community Banners project, 'Memories and Dreams'. It is symbolic of Welsh immigrants' experiences in South Australia.
The banner, is made from machine applique and woollen tapestry and depicts symbols commonly associated with Wales. The central image is a colliery village. The border is red (the national colour of Wales) with the outline of a dragon at the top and decorated left and right with leeks made from white tassels and green satin ribbon, artificial daffodil flowers and gold and perspex harps. The daffodil, leek and harp are national emblems of Wales. The dragon is taken from the flag and represents the ancient Prince of Wales.
The centre section has a yellow sun centred with a map of Australia outlined in the middle. The sun, covered by an outline map of Australia, links the memories of the old country with the dreams for the new. The strength of this image stresses the optimism of those who left their homeland for a new life in Australia. Beneath is the scene of the Welsh colliery town with the mine works drawn in black and the houses in tapestry. It is set against a background of green hills with clouds, and a railway bridge with a steam train travelling across it. 'CYMRU-Wales' is painted in white along the lower border. The banner is backed with turquoise and white with a turquoise gusset along the top.