Summary

Medal awarded in 1887 to R.H. Whyte by the National Agricultural Society of Victoria (now known as Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria) for his model of a Lorry. The Society was formed in 1870 from the Port Phillip Farmers' Society. Farmers' societies were formed with the intention of improving agricultural practices to meet the needs of a steadily increasing Australian population. The newly formed National Agricultural Society of Victoria set up a new show site at Emerald Hill in South Melbourne. The show moved to Ascot Vale in 1882, where shows are held to this day.
Mint: not recorded.

Physical Description

A silver prize medal (32 mm diameter with loop and ring at top) manufactured by engraving. It features an engraved lorry cartand details of the society and award around an engraved wreath.

Obverse Description

Engraved around an engraved wreath, THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA; engraved within wreath, AWARDED TO / R.H. Whyte / Age 18 Years / OF NORTH MELBOURNE / as / SPECIAL PRIZE / FOR / MODEL OF LORRY / 1887

Reverse Description

Engraved lorry designed to be drawn by horse

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The National Agricultural Society of Victoria (now known as Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria) was formed in 1870 from the Port Phillip Farmers' Society. Farmers' societies were formed with the intention of matching farming methods with the needs of a steadily increasing Australian population. In 1870 the National Agricultural Society of Victoria set up a new show site at Emerald Hill in South Melbourne. The current showgrounds in Ascot Vale were established in 1882, and have been the base for the Royal Melbourne Show ever since.

In May 1890 Queen Victoria assented to the use of the 'Royal' prefix by the Society in recognition of its ongoing contribution to the improvement of agriculture. The Society then became the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and the Show, the Royal Melbourne Show. -Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria web site http://www.rasv.com.au/; Essendon Network for Employment, Education and Training web site http://www.enet.org.au/historyonline/mccracken/peter.htm; Glyn Rimmington, University of Melbourne, web site http://rimmo.mur.csu.edu.au/rimmo/hyperbook/5/5.4.html -D. Tout-Smith 2/10/2003.

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