Museums Victoria holds a gilt prize medal issued by the Hamilton Academy, Victoria, around 1875.

The launch of the Hamilton Academy was announced in January 1870. In March it was described in the Hamilton Spectator as being 'Conducted by Mr. James Begg, M.A., in Classics and Mathematics. Late Resident Master of the Hawthorn Grammar School. Classes meet in the Baptist Chapel.'  Mr Begg was also planning to open a 'Boarding Establishment for the Education of Young Gentlemen . if due encouragement was given.' Encouragement must have been given, as Mr Begg was soon advertising that he had 'Ample accommodation for Boarders'. (Nov 1870)

In August 1873 the school was sufficiently established under Rev. Begg to invest in a medal to award students. It was described in the Hamilton Spectator, including an explanation of the school crest: 'School Medals. - There are now on view at the establishment of Mr. Destree some very handsome silver medals, somewhat larger than a crown-piece, intended to be awarded as prizes at the ensuing Christmas examinations at the Hamilton Academy. On the obverse there is a wreath of palm and laurel, with the words "Awarded to" ___, and a space, in which will be engraved the name of the successful scholar. The reverse bears the motto, "Palmam qui meruit ferat," with a shield quartered by a Maltese cross. In the four divisions of the cross are emblematised the successive stages of the school career - the tree of knowledge occupying the first compartment, the bee of industry the second place, the wreath of victory the third position, and finally a flag bearing the word excelsior, to signify that when the pupil has left school he should strive to turn to proper account the educational benefits he has received. The design has been beautifully carried out by Mr. Destree, and as a work of art, the production is most creditable. The cost of the die alone was twenty guineas, and we understand that Mr. Begg is indebted to the parents of his pupils for subscribing to provide for the boys an incentive to study, in the shape of these valuable prizes, "which all of them will appreciate."' (Museums Victoria's medal from the Hamilton Academy, NU 20196, is gilt.)

In June 1879, Begg was accepted as headmaster of Hamilton College, which then amalgamated with Hamilton Academy. The arrangement was short-lived, as by August 1882 James Begg was again Principal of the Hamilton Academy, where 'pupils are prepared for the University Examinations and Commercial Pursuits. Especial care is bestowed on the Moral Training, Manners, and Comfort of the Boarders, by Mr. and Mrs. Begg. There is a library of 200 volumes, suitable for boys.' The Academy was purpose-built, with new classrooms erected.

Begg's wife Margaret died in August 1896. Illustrating the importance of Hamilton Academy to the Begg family, her funeral procession started at the school. In December that year it was announced that James Begg had 'disposed of his Academy and is leaving Hamilton.' All of his household was sold. Begg 'disposed of his interest' to Mr J. W. Thomson, B.A., who was educated at Geelong Grammar and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, and was lately a master at Haileybury College. (Begg went on to be headmaster of Corowa College.) Thomson did not last long - in July 1900 Hamilton Academy was advertised for sale, with Begg involved in the sale. It then comprised '16 large and lofty rooms', a weatherboard cottage and outbuildings, on 2 ½ acres of land on 'the corner of Collins street'. (Today, at the end of Collins St, Hamilton, stands the Hamilton and Alexandra College, a co-educational day and boarding school.)

The property was sold to Mr T.C. Carter in November 1900, and just four years later Carter sold it to the Very Rev. Father Shanahan, who was planning to establish a convent high school.

References

1870 'Advertising', Hamilton Spectator and Grange District Advertiser (Vic. : 1860 - 1870), 1 January, p. 3. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194157430.
1870 'Advertising', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 5 March, p. 3. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196302465.
1870 'Advertising', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 30 November, p. 3. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196305214.
1873 'Items of News.', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 2 August, p. 2. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194847216.
1879 'VICTORIA.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 11 June, p. 5. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article199362399.
1882 'Advertising', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 19 August, p. 3. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225494452.
1896 'Family Notices', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 18 August, p. 2. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225554979.
1896 'Advertising', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 8 December, p. 2. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225550002.
1896 'TOWN TALK.', Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929), 9 December, p. 2. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150132013.
1900 'Advertising', The Corowa Free Press (NSW : 1875 - 1954), 12 June, p. 1. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234881393.
1900 'Items of News.', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 12 July, p. 2. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225691396.
Neil MacLean, 2022. Defying the Odds: 150 Years of The Hamilton and Alexandra College.
1900 'SALES OF PROPERTY.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 28 November, p. 4. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9565487.
1904 'THOMAS ARDAGH'S WILL', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 12 November, p. 1. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208876500.
1905 'Advertising', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 10 June, p. 3. , viewed 12 Dec 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226176977.

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