Summary

Gilt medal issued to commemorate the sesquicentenary of Western Australia in 1979. It features an image of Captain James Stirling, credited with founding the colony. Stirling, a British naval captain, persuaded NSW Governor Darling to allow him to examine the west coast of Australia to see if it provided a suitable site for another garrison or settlement to open trade to the East Indies and protect British interests. Stirling sailed in 1827, and was particularly impressed by land in the vicinity of the Swan River. In May 1828 the Colonial Office reluctantly decided to establish a colony under the direct control of the British government, superintended by Stirling. On 2 May 1829 Captain C.H. Fremantle of the Challenger took possession of the whole of Australia that was not then included in the boundaries of New South Wales. Stirling arrived later with his family and civic officials in the Parmelia, and proclaimed the foundation of the colony on 18 June. He administered the Swan River settlement from June 1829 to August 1832, when he took an extended visit to England and was knighted. He returned to administer the settlement from August 1834 to December 1838. His first official title of lieut-governor was superseded by that of governor in 1831. The land proved poor and difficult to cultivate, and as a commercial and agricultural enterprise, the settlement was a failure. Its future was only secured with the arrival of convicts in the 1850s.
Mint: not recorded.

Physical Description

A gilt medal issued by M.R. Roberts WESTERN / AUSTRALIAN / SESQUI-CENTENARY / A TOKEN FROM / M.R. Roberts' Bust of James Sterling facing 3/4 left over Eastern side of Australian map, below, CAPT. STERLING above, FOUNDER on map, 1929

Obverse Description

WESTERN / AUSTRALIAN / SESQUI-CENTENARY / A TOKEN FROM / M.R. Roberts'

Reverse Description

Bust of Sir James Sterling facing 3/4 left set over Eastern side of Australian map, looking towards Western Australia; below, CAPT. STERLING; above, FOUNDER; on map, 1929 Note: there is a metal flaw under the U of FOUNDER and a die crack through the top of the letters.

Edge Description

Plain

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