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Medal - Centenary of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 1897
Reg. No: NU 20336
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- Summary:
- Australia New South Wales Newcastle
Centenary of Newcastle 1897 (AD)
Mint: not recorded
Other Details: Medal issued in 1897 to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of Newcastle, New South Wales. It was made by the Green Bros., 112 Hunter St, Newcastle. Its design is roughly based on a design by Water Police Constable Hatherly, and shows Nobby's Island, off Newcastle, as well as other Newcastle scenes. The celebrations were held on 16-18 September 1897. The first day was declared a public holiday, business was suspended, and Newcastle was 'transformed into a veritable fairyland'. Buildings were adorned with garlands of vegetation, floral wreaths, flags, Chinese lanterns, paintings, designs of 'excellent taste' and signs such as 'Advance Australia'. Coloured lights were strung along the streets, and government buildings were illuminated with gas lighting. A wooden triumphal arch was erected by the enthusiastic firm of Messrs Pjillips, Hart and Firkin, and covered with palm branches and interwoven flowers. Newcastle Coal Mining Company surpassed this arch with its own, constructed of 70 tons of coal. Prizes were awarded for the best illuminated vehicle, bicycle, reel, tram, motor and omnibus. The best was considered to be the window of Dr Ladlow, whose surgery featured two transparencies depicting an emu and kangaroo with a star in the centre, illuminated by a gas light. A public sports day involved 4,000 children and around 25,000 spectators. Students from the 19 schools attending received medals struck in commemoration of the centenary. Sivler medals struck from the same die were given to the District Inspector of Schools, the Minister of Education and his wife, and the Mayor and Mayoress. A torchlight procession including illumianted bicycles and the volunteer fire brigades attracted 50,000 people. A harbour acquatic carnival included rowing races and an evening display of festooned water craft and fireworks. That event ended in shambles when a multiple collision occured, involving a ferry, boats and a warship. - Acquisition Information:
- Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1976
| Discipline: | Numismatics |
| Dimensions: | 22 mm (Diameter) |
| Weight: | 1.43 g (Weight) |
More information
| Tagged with: | ships |
| Themes this item is part of: | George McArthur, Collector & Baker (1842-1903), Public Life & Institutions Collection, Transport Collection |
| Primary Classification: | MEDALS |
| Secondary Classification: | Commemorative |
| Tertiary Classification: | public events |
| Series: | Australian Commemorative Medals |
| DateEra: | 1897 AD |
| Obverse Description: | CENTENARY OF/NEWCASTLE/1897 A wreath including waratah flowers?,scene of fishermen, a large mountain (Nobby's) behind |
| Reverse Description: | In the Exergue: IN COMMEMORATION; images of steelworks, ships and a rising sun |
| Edge Description: | Plain |
| Inscriptions: | Plain (edge) CENTENARY OF/NEWCASTLE/1897 A wreath including waratah flowers?,scene of fishermen,a large mountain behind (obverse) In the Exergue: IN COMMEMORATION Steelworks, ships and a rising sun(reverse) |
| Shape: | Round with hole |
| Material: | Aluminium |
| Issued By: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 1897 |
| Artist: | Water Police Constable Hatherly |
| Maker: | Green Bros. |
| References: | Car 1897/3 |
| Bibliography: |
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Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
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