Summary

Medal awarded to Mrs (Annie) Flatow of Hotham, Victoria for her device employing seaweed and shells. The Geelong Jubilee Juvenile & Industrial Exhibition was undertaken as a component of the celebrations of Queen Victoria's 1887 Jubilee.

The Exhibition was scheduled to be opened about 15 November 1887, 'under the auspices of the Australian Natives' Association', and was to remain open for four months. The Patron of the Exhibition was Sir Henry Brougham Loch, Governor of Victoria.

Applicants were divided into several categories. A: 18-21 years; B: 15-18 years; C: under 15; D: apprentices not out of their indenture, of any age; E: general exhibits; and F: non-competitive exhibits. Exhibitors could sell their works. The exhibition featured a broad range of work, including handcrafts, painting and drawing, processed foods, ironware and tinware and clothing. Gold and silver medals and certificates of merit were awarded. Juvenile industrial exhibitions were held to to encourage young people to compete in 'works of industry and usefulness', to impress the dignity and honour of labour, to nurture those in the trades, to show handiwork, to share ideas, to develop the idea of 'useful employment' in leisure hours and to create a 'taste for the fine arts and ornamental works, so as to make the home attractive' (Official Record, Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, Ballarat, 1890).

The Australian Natives' Association was established in 1871 as a non-partisan and non-sectarian friendly society for Australian-born, white men seeking to shape Australia's nationhood and identity. The ANA was a strong advocate for Federation and became an advocate for White Australia. It was a staunch supporter of trade protection and immigration restriction, and Prime Minister Alfred Deakin was a member.

Physical Description

An oval shaped silver prize medal (23 mm wide and 36 mm to top of loop attached to edge) of the exhibition awarded to Mrs Flatlow for a device with seaweed and shells. It features the Geelong exhibition building and details of the exhibition and award.

Obverse Description

Around rim, JUBILEE JUVENILE & INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION * GEELONG 1887 * ; at centre, AWARDED TO, Annie Flatlow / for / DEVICE / IN Seaweed & Shells

Reverse Description

Geelong exhibition building; in exergue, E.A. ALTMANN - MELBOURNE

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The Exhibition was scheduled to be opened about 15 November 1887, 'under the auspices of the Australian Natives' Association', and was to remain open for four months. The Patron of the Exhibition was Sir Henry Brougham Loch, Governor of Victoria. Applicants were divided into several categories. A: 18-21 years; B: 15-18 years; C: under 15; D: apprentices not out of their indenture, of any age; E: general exhibits; and F: non-competitive exhibits. Exhibitors could sell their works. The exhibition featured a broad range of work, including handcrafts, painting and drawing, processed foods, ironware and tinware and clothing. Gold and silver medals and certificates of merit were awarded. -Prize List: Geeolong Jubilee Juvenile Industrial Exhibition. -D. Tout-Smith 20/11/2003.

Note: although this medal is inscribed E.A. Altmann, Carlisle includes a medal (1887/8) which was awarded to A.H. Whittenbach 'for design of exhibition medal'. -D. Tout-Smith 20/11/2003.

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