State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Departure/Return
Dates of presentations: bef. 26/04/1900, 14/06/1901, 00/05/1902
Number issued: 3
Gold lockets, set with ruby & diamonds, suitably inscribed, to:
bef. 26/04/1900 presentation (departure)
4th Victorian (Imperial Bushmen's) Contingent –
570 Private David CRAIG
Presentation made by Mr Forrest, M.L.A., during a public meeting.
Private Craig also received a watch and gold chain. No mention is made of the ruby & diamonds on this occasion.
14/06/1901 presentation (return)
3rd Victorian (Bushmen's) Contingent –
407 Trooper Alfred ORCHARD
Presentation made by Councillor Frank Neylon, in the Public Hall, Beeac.
May 1902 presentation (return)
5th Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
1461 Trooper Colin McNEILL
Presentation made by Councillor Frank Neylon, in the Public Hall, Beeac.
Inscribed: "Presented to Trooper Orchard by Beeac friends on his return from South African war. June, 1901".
Inscribed: "Presented to Colin McNeill from Beeac district friends on his safe return from South Africa. May, 1902".
1901 locket descibed as: "set with diamonds".
1902 locket described thus: "The trinket was shield-shaped, and had a ruby and diamond star ornamentation".
Trooper Orchard received a second locket from Winchelsea. The two ceremonies were held on the same day, so Orchard was unable to attend both presentations.
Melbourne Argus, 27/06/1901
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Melbourne Argus, 26th April 1900
BEEAC.
Mr David CRAIG, a member of the Australian Imperial Regiment, was presented with a watch, gold chain, and locket, and a field-glass at a public meeting here. Mr Forrest, M.L.A., occupied the chair.
Colac Herald, 18th June 1901
BEEAC.
Trooper ORCHARD, who has lately returned from South Africa, met with a very warm reception here, when a concert was tendered to him on Friday evening last in the Public Hall. Cr F. Neylon occupied the chair, and in a few well chosen words introduced Trooper ORCHARD to the assemblage, which filled the hall to the utmost. The management of the affair was in the hands of a committee consisting of Messrs Gost (chairman), Maxwell, T.J. Pratt, Begley, Danaher, McKenzie, Challis, Fitzpatrick and Meehan. The concert, which was not of an elaborate description, proved to be very sociable and enjoyable. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed items, needless to say all of which were much appreciated – Misses Brown, Smith, Begley (2), Mrs J. Missen and Messrs Ainscough, Herd, Burnett, Bevan, Farrell, O’Meara and Fitzpatrick. At the conclusion of the first part of the programme the chairman presented Trooper ORCHARD with a handsome gold locket, set with diamonds, and neatly engraved with the following inscription – “Presented to Trooper Orchard by Beeac friends on his return from the South African war. June, 1901”. Cr Neylon spoke feelingly on the manner in which Trooper ORCHARD and the other Australians had upheld the prowess of the colonies at the front. Messrs Begley, Gost and Herd supported the remarks of the chairman. Trooper ORCHARD, who was received with loud and prolonged cheers, thanked his Beeac friends most warmly for the very handsome and valuable present they had given him, and then gave a short account of some of his experiences in South Africa, remarking that he knew of no one more willing to give you a “sly poke” than the Boer. Votes of thanks were tendered to Mr W.F. Danaher for placing the hall at the disposal of the committee free of charge, and also to the chairman, both of which were received with acclamation.
Colac Herald, 6th May 1902
WELCOME HOME TO TROOPER C. McNEILL.
On Friday last the Beeac Public Hall was crowded, when an enthusiastic welcome home was tendered to Trooper Colin McNEILL, of Weering, who went to South Africa with the Fifth Victorian Contingent. The proceedings were of a very enthusiastic character. Cr Frank Neylon occupied the chair, and after a programme of songs and recitations had been gone through, the chairman, on behalf of the residents of the district, handed Trooper McNEILL a handsome gold locket. The trinket was shield-shaped, and had a ruby and diamond star ornamentation. It bore the following inscription – “Presented to Colin McNeill from Beeac district friends on his safe return from South Africa. May, 1902”. The chairman in making the presentation, said he hoped the recipient would be long spared to wear it, and carry it as he had done an honourable name from his birth. (Cheers). The Rev. W. Agnew, Rev. Mr Rupp, and Mr Salmon briefly welcomed Trooper McNEILL back, congratulating his family and friends on his safe return.
Melbourne Age, 13th May 1902
COLAC. – At the Beeac public hall, an enthusiastic welcome was tendered to Trooper Colin McNEILL, of Weering, who went to South Africa with the Fifth Victorian Contingent. Cr Frank Neylon occupied the chair, and, on behalf of the residents, handed Trooper McNEILL a handsome inscribed gold locket.
