The Principality of Hutt River, Western Australia

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This post has been resurrected from one which appeared on the Bubblews website when it was in operation. It was inspired by comments from both 2b|!2b (@ChesneyM) and topffer (@topffer ) on one of the latter's posts: http://www.mylot.com/post/3037360/along-the-pyrenees-iii-llivia-a-spanish-enclave-in-france. Every country has its eccentric characters and Australia is no exception. One of Western Australia's is Leonard Casley who owns a station just east of Kalbarri and not far from Northampton in the state's north. The station covers an area of about 75 square kilometres which equates to around 18,500 acres. Prince Leonard 'seceded' from Australia on 21 April 1970 and reigned over the Principality of Hutt River until his abdication recently in favour of his son. The area has been declared an independent sovereign state. In 1977, Prince Leonard declared war on Australia but decided against pursuing hostilities a few days later. This was probably fortunate! Casley is a mathematician and physicist who once worked for NASA. He has a star named in his honour. The Principality has been quite a drawcard for tourists and now boasts a Government Office and Post Office, tea-rooms, an inter-denominational chapel and the Sovereign's Reception Building as well as various memorabilia displays. Campers and caravanners are encouraged to stay and a visa is available on arrival – for a small fee. The Principality is not recognised by Australian authorities. Prince Leonard's donation to the government matches his tax bill so he continues to promote his domain mostly undisturbed. He has his own defence force and his own currency. His spouse, Princess Shirley, died early in July 2013. They have seven adult children, twenty-two grand-children and over thirty great grand-children. Income is derived from wildflower production, stamp and coin dealings, agricultural produce and tourism. The official website of the Principality of Hutt River states that 'Western Australia was actually never proclaimed by Captain Stirling as British Territory, as was required of him under his Letter Patent, he only Proclaimed a Settlement (the Swan Settlement) in Western Australia.' Prince Leonard is also the patron of the Royal Enfield Club of Australia (Inc.), an association of like minded motorcycle enthusiasts. Although we drove past the entrance to the principality we didn't go in so I have no photos of Hutt River apart from some of the general area.