Summary

Australian International Exhibitions Commissioner's medal awarded to Charles Pasley, 1879-81.
This Bronze Commissioner's medal was awarded to Major General Charles Pasley R.E. C.B. for Services. Pasley was a military engineer and a commissioner for the Melbourne International Exhibition. In 1880-82 he was Victoria's agent-general. In 1853, at the age of only 29, Pasley had been appointed colonial engineer of Victoria. He became captain of the Royal Engineers in 1854, in time to offer assistance in the Eureka Stockade battle. He commanded skirmishes in the centre and restrained soldiers from taking reprisals after the battle. From October 1854 to November 1855 Pasley was an official nominee in the Legislative Council. In November 1855 he was appointed commissioner of public works. Major works started under his leadership included Pentridge gaol, Victoria Barracks and Parliament House, and later the Treasury and General Post Office. He favoured the use of local basalt or bluestone. Pasley's other public roles included councillor of the Philosophical Institute, vice-president of the Melbourne Philharmonic Society and first patron of the Victorian Institute of Architects. Pasley stood for the seat of South Bourke in the Legislative Assembly, but lost his ministerial post in 1857. The following year he became vice-president of the royal commission on the colony's defences, which adopted his proposal for Melbourne to be defended by batteries at Hobson's Bay. He later returned to his military career in England, eventually becoming director of works at the Admiralty.

Physical Description

Large bronze medal awarded for services to the Royal Commission, it features a head of Albert, Prince of Wales, and details of the award.

Obverse Description

Head of Albert facing right, head bare; around, * ALBERT EDWARD PRINCE OF WALES K.G. PRESIDENT OF ROYAL COMMISSION and in tiny letters the artist's names J.S. & A.B. WYON

Reverse Description

At centre engraved within olive wreath, MAJOR GENERAL / CHARLES PASLEY / R.E. C.B. / FOR / SERVICES; around, AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS . SYDNEY 1879-80 . MELBOURNE 1880-81

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

This Bronze Commissioner's medal was awarded to Major General Charles Pasley R.E. C.B. for Services. Pasley was a military engineer and a commissioner for the Melbourne International Exhibition. In 1880-82 he was Victoria's agent-general. In 1853, at the age of only 29, Pasley had been appointed colonial engineer of Victoria. He became captain of the Royal Engineers in 1854, in time to offer assistance in the Eureka Stockade battle. He commanded skirmishes in the centre and restrained soldiers from taking reprisals after the battle. From October 1854 to November 1855 Pasley was an official nominee in the Leglsiative Council. In November 1855 he was appointed commissioner of public works. Major works started under his leadership included Pentridge gaol, Victoria Barracks and Parliament House, and later the Treasury and General Post Office. He favoured the use of local basalt or bluestone. Pasley's other public roles included councillor of the Philosphical Institute, vice-president of the Melbourne Philharmonic Society and first patron of the Victorian Institute of Architects. Pasley stood for the seat of South Bourke in the Legislative Assembly, but lost his ministerial post in 1857. The following year he became vice-president of the royal commission on the colony's defences, which adopted his proposal for Melbourne to be defended by batteries at Hobson's Bay. He later returned to his military career in England, eventually becoming director of works at the Admiralty. -Australian Dictionary of Biography. -D. Tout-Smith 6/1/2004.

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