Summary

Australia
Medal - Hamilton Academy Prize c. 1875 (AD)
Mint: Stokes & Martin

Hamilton Academy prize gilt medal issued around 1875. The Hamilton Academy, a boys' boarding school in rural Victoria, was opened in 1870 under James Begg. He continued as headmaster until 1896. The school buildings were sold for other educational purposes in 1900.

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."' (NU 20196 is gilt.)

Physical Description

An unissued gilt prize medal (47 mm diameter) featuring the school shield within a laurel wreath, by Julius Hogarth. The shield features a large cross with the five stars of the Southern Cross, dividing it into four quarters containing a pine tree, bee, flag with the word EXCELSIOR and a wreath. The reverse has space to engrave a winner's details within a wreath.

Obverse Description

School shield within a laurel wreath, by Julius Hogarth. The shield features a large cross with the five stars of the Southern Cross, dividing it into four quarters containing a pine tree, bee, flag with the word EXCELSIOR and a wreath. Above, HAMILTON; below, ACADEMY PALMAM QUI MERUIT FERATin small letters below shield the artist's initials, J H

Reverse Description

Space to engrave a winner's details within a wreath

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

One section of St Mary's, Hamilton - known today as 'The Old Convent' was the original 'Hamilton Academy'. The first Catholic School was opened in Hamilton in April 1858 by Nicholas Flynn and his wife Margaret. They remained until 1865. The site of the school was where Monivae Junior stands today. In 1904 'The Academy' came on the market. Dean Shanahan purchased the Academy. The main building became the Convent for the Loreto Sisters who arrived in July 1905. The change over of the primary school children of St. Mary's in Lonsdale Street to the Academy in Coleraine Road was effected immediately. The Loreto Sisters ran St. Mary's School until December 1923. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan arrived to take over Catholic Education in Hamilton in January 1924.
Catholic schools of Victoria : http://www.cecv.melb.catholic.edu.au/schools/schoolinfo.asp?searchfor=E2035
John Sharples 24 Nov 2003

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