TOTNES has been invited to fly the flag for Australia to keep the memory of its 'down under' explorer hero William Wills alive.

The town is holding a series of celebrations to mark this week's 150th anniversary of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition across Australia.

In the run-up, the town has received letters of greeting from both the Premier of the State of Victoria John Brumby and the Royal Society of Victoria.

The society — the scientific equivalent of the Royal Society in London — has already sent Totnes an Aussie flag to raise as part of the celebrations.

Now the Australian society president Professor Lynne Selwood has suggested the raising of the flag could be made into a regular event.

"The presentation of the Australian flag signifies the recognition of William John Wills as an Australian hero who lies buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery not far from the society's hall where the expedition party gathered before their departure," he wrote.

"Perhaps an annual raising of the flag in your town square may be an appropriate way of keeping the association with Australia alive for future generations."

On Friday the Australian High Commissioner will be in Totnes with other VIPs to raise the flag and unveil a new plaque on the Wills Memorial on The Plains.

Wills' family lived on The Plains and the memorial was built in Totnes by public subscription in 1862.

Both he and Burke successfully trekked from Melbourne across the continent, but died of starvation on the return journey.

They are regarded as historical heroes in Australia.

In Totnes there will be a civic lunch, raising the Aussie flag over the Civic Square, a parade to The Plains and a poetry competition involving youngsters from The Grove and St John's primary schools.

The town council has also received a letter from Aussie MP Mr Brumby, addressed to Mayor Tony Whitty saying: "I wish to extend my greetings on behalf of the people of Victoria, Australia, and to express my thanks for the participation of the people of Totnes in the recognition of the life and achievements of William John Wills, astronomer and meteorologist, who later became the second in command of the Burke and Wills expedition."