Summary
Gilt medal featuirng image of building, issued by the Shire of Traralgon in 1897 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897 was celebrated the great enthusiasm throughout the British Empire. It prompted many Australian local governments to issue commemorative medals. The Shire of Traralgon was no exception. Its medal named Hugh Dunbar as Shire President and Francis McKinnell as Shire Secretary. Located in Gippsland, east of Melbourne, the Shire of Traralgon was first settled in the 1840s. The Traralgon area developed as a result of being on a direct route to the goldfields on the Tanjil. Amendments to the Colonial Land Act saw the subdivision of land and increasing settlement in the area. The main occupation of the settlers was dairying. By 1866 the Traralgon boasted a hotel, post office and general store. The Traralgon Shire was formed in 1879, by which time a variety of shops and other businesses had become established. The construction of the railway in the 1880s provided more economic stimulus and local employment. In 1883, the Agricultural Society was formed, and an area was set aside in Traralgon for recreation and to conduct shows. In 1886 a new post office and courthouse were opened. In the new century the Traralgon area developed as a result of industries including the State Electricity Commission and Australian Paper Mills.
Physical Description
Gilt medal, 31mm diameter, inscribed on both sides. Hole pierced at top for hanging. The obverse features jugate busts of a young and old Queen Victoria. The reverse features a large brick building with trees on either side and inscription around.
Obverse Description
Jugate busts, young & old Queen Victoria; around, QUEEN VICTORIA'S 60TH YEAR OF REIGN * 1837 TO 1897 *; makers name, STOKES & SONS, in tiny letters on rim below dates
Reverse Description
At centre within broad rim, building; above, SHIRE HALL; below, TRARALGON around on broad rim, * HUGH DUNBAR PRESIDENT * F. Mc.KINNELL, SEC.
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1897 AD
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Issued By
Shire of Traralgon, Traralgon, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, 1897
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Commissioned By
Shire of Traralgon, Traralgon, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, 1897
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Person Depicted
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Person Named
Mr. Hugh Dunbar - Shire of Traralgon, Traralgon, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, 1897
Named as Shire President on medal -
Person Named
Mr. Francis McKinnell - Shire of Traralgon, Traralgon, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, 1897
Named as Shire Sectetary on medal -
Inscriptions
Obverse: arund, 'QUEEN VICTORIA'S 60TH YEAR OF REIGN * 1837 TO 1897 *'. Maker's name, 'STOKES & SONS', in tiny letters on rim below dates. Reverse: At centre within broad rim, building; above, 'SHIRE HALL'; below, 'TRARALGON'. Around on broad rim, '* HUGH DUNBAR PRESIDENT * F. Mc.KINNELL, SEC.'
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Series
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Material
Gilt
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
31 mm (Outside Diameter), 13.48 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Carlisle (1983), reference # 1897/38 Latrobe City Council web site [Link 1] Blake, L. 1977. Place Names of Victoria Traralgon: a Brief Introductory History, compiled by J.F. Power, on Traralgon & District Historical Society web site, [Link 2] .
[Catalogue] Morrison, Ian. 2003. The Baker of Maldon.
[Book] Carlisle, Leslie J. 1983. Australian commemorative medals and medalets from 1788.
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Keywords
Architecture, Celebrations, Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee, 1897, Royal Anniversaries, Rural Life, Town Halls
