Museum Victoria holds medals made by the Hardy Brothers, dated 1870 to circa 1890. The medals were made for the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, the Yass Pastoral and Agricultural Association and the Herberton Mining Pastoral and Agricultural Association. The company also made medals for other agricultural societies, including the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia, Berrima District A.H. & I. Society and the Herbert River Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

This company is probably the same Hardy Brothers that still exists today. After arriving in Australia from Nottinghamshire England, John Hardy began trading in 1853 as Hardy Brothers from his rooms in Jamison Street, Sydney. Two years later he opened a showroom in Hunter Street that was to be the home of Hardy Brothers for over 80 years.

'Following the success of the business in Sydney, including the introduction of silver plate ware and silver cutlery to Australia, Hardy Brothers opened a showroom at 116 Queen Street, Brisbane in 1894, followed in 1918 by the opening of the Melbourne showroom located at 298 Collins Street.' (www.hardybros.com.au)

Hardy Brothers manufactures the Melbourne Cup and is the only holder of a Royal Warrant in Australia.

References:
Hardy Brothers website http://www.hardybros.com.au/aboutus/history/about.htm, accessed 16/1/2004.

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