Medal - Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, Borough of Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia, 1897

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Summary:: Australia Victoria Queenscliff
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee 1897 (AD)
Mint: not recorded
Other Details: Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897 was celebrated the great enthusiasm throughout the British Empire. It prompted many Australian local governments and to issue commemorative medals, such as this medal issued by the Borough of Queenscliff. The medal names G.F. Bailleu as Mayor of Queenscliff. This may be George Francis Baillieu (note spelling), third son of James George Baillieu and Emma Pow, English immigrants who settled in Queenscliffe and had 15 children. The family profited considerably from the growth of Queenscliff, although all but George eventually moved away from the area. His brother William Lawrence became an MLC. Queenscliff is a township at the western entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Originally called Whale Head, it was re-named Shortland's Bluff in 1837 and Queenscliff in 1853 by Lt. Governor C. J. La Trobe, after Queen Victoria. The town serviced light houses at the mouth of Port Phillip Bay, and a thriving local fishing industry developed, utilizing access to both the Bay and to Bass Strait. During the later nineteenth century it became a popular seaside resort, with direct access to Melbourne via steamship.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1976

Tagged with:	celebrations, lighthouses, marine navigation, queen victoria diamond jubilee 1897, royal anniversaries
Themes this item is part of:	Public Life & Institutions Collection, Transport Collection, HM Queen Victoria (1819-1901), Stokes & Son, Medal Makers, Melbourne, Victoria & Sydney, New South Wales, Municipality of Queenscliff, Victoria, Municipality of Queenscliff, Victoria
Primary Classification:	MEDALS
Secondary Classification:	Commemorative
Tertiary Classification:	royal jubilees
Series:	Australian Commemorative medal
DateEra:	1897 AD
Obverse Description:	Conjoined head of Victoria of 1837 and veiled bust of Victoria of 1897; around, QUEEN VICTORIA'S 60TH. YEAR OF REIGN * 1837 TO 1897 *
Reverse Description:	At centre within broad rim, a lighthouse set within a fenced-off area overlooking sailing-ship at sea; around, * BOROUGH OF QUEENSCLIFF * G.F. BAILLEU, MAYOR 1897
Edge Description:	Plain
Inscriptions:	(edge) (obverse) (reverse)
Shape:	round
Material:	Gilt
Issued By:	Borough of Queenscliff, Australia
Mint:	Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1897
Commissioned By:	Borough of Queenscliff, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia, 1897
Person Depicted:	HM Queen Victoria
Person Named:	Mr. G. Bailleu - Borough of Queenscliff, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia, 1897
References:	Car. 1897/18