State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 16/05/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
5th Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
1168 Private William Sheeton CUNNINGTON
Presentation made by Councillor S. Scott.
Obverse with emu and kangaroo.
Reverse: "Presented to Trooper Cunnington by the residents of Dickson's Creek for services rendered in South Africa, 1901-02".
The presentation had been arranged to take place at a picnic held in Mr Ellis's padock on 09/05/1902, but Cunnington did not arrive home in time for this.
Note: known as both Dixon's Creek and Dickson's Creek.
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Evelyn Observer, 23rd May 1902
WELCOME HOME TO A RETURNED SOLDIER.
Our Dickson's Creek correspondent writes: – The residents of the Creek held a meeting at Mr N. Ellis' place on the 3rd inst., N. Ellis, Esq., being in the chair, to take into consideration the advisability of presenting Mr W. CUNNINGTON on his return from South Africa with some small token of respect. Cr. S. Scott was appointed secretary, and it was arranged to get a gold medal inscribed and to give the children a picnic on Friday, the 9th inst. The picnic was held in Mr Ellis' paddock, and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent in foot-racing, swings, &c., the "gem" of the day being a ladies' race, 60 yards. Mrs T. Bell, sen., 3 yards, secured first honours, and Mrs T. Bell, jun., 2 yards, second place. Three others started, and the finish was a very close one. Rain then set in, when all adjourned to the barn, where everyone enjoyed the liberal refreshments provided. As "our soldier" did not arrive, the presentation was put off until Friday, the 16th inst., and on that date the presentation was made. Some 60 or 70 people gathered together, and dancing was indulged in until 10 o'clock, when Mr Ellis, as chairman, said he had a very pleasant duty to perform, and that was the presentation to our returned soldier, Trooper CUNNINGTON. He was sure they were all pleased to see him home again safe and sound. Mr W. Williamson testified to the good qualities of the Australians in the battlefield. He said that their guest knew before he went that it would not be all beer and skittles, unlike some of the earlier contingents, who no doubt thought the war would be over before they got there. Cr. S. Scott, who was deputed to make the presentation, then called on Trooper CUNNINGTON to step forward, and in a very neat speech presented him with a gold medal, with emu and kangaroo engraved on one side, and the words, "Presented to Trooper Cunnington by the residents of Dickson's Creek for services rendered in South Africa, 1901-02", inscribed on the other. Trooper CUNNINGTON very feelingly thanked the inhabitants for their kindly expression towards him and said that he would ever remember their cheering remarks. The company then sang "Old Lang Syne". Refreshments were partaken of, and dancing and singing were kept up until the wee hours in the morning. Mr F. Holding supplied the music, and H. Beach acted as M.C. The committee desires to thank the Glen people for their support and attendance.
Melbourne Age, 29th May 1902
YARRA GLEN. – A very enthusiastic welcome home was given to Private CUNNINGTON, at Dixon’s Creek, and he was presented with a gold medal.
Healesville & Yarra Glen Guardian, 30th May 1902
WELCOME HOME TO A RETURNED SOLDIER.
Our Dickson's Creek correspondent writes – The residents of the Creek held a meeting at Mr. N. Ellis' place on the 3rd inst., N. Ellis, Esq., being in the chair, to take into consideration the advisability of presenting Mr W. CUNNINGTON on his return from South Africa with some small token of respect. Cr. S. Scott was appointed secretary, and it was arranged to get a gold medal inscribed and to give the children a picnic on Friday, the 9th inst. The picnic was held in Mr Ellis' paddock, and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent in foot-racing, swings, etc., the “gem" of the day being a ladies' race, 60 yards. Mrs T. Bell, sen., 3 yards, secured first honors, and Mrs T. Bell, jun., 2 yards, second place. Three others. started, and the finish was a very close one. Rain then set in, when all adjourned to the barn, where everyone enjoyed the liberal refreshments provided. As "our soldier" did not arrive, the presentation was put off until Friday, the 16th inst., and on that date the presentation was made. Some 60 or 70 people gathered together, and dancing was indulged in until 10 o'clock, when Mr Ellis, as chairman, said he had a very pleasant duty to perform, and that was the presentation to our retuned soldier, Trooper CUNNINGTON. He was sure they were all pleased to see him home again safe and sound. Mr W. Williamson testified to the good qualities of the Australians in the battlefield. He said that their guest knew before he went that it would not be all beer and skittles, unlike some of the earlier contingents, who no doubt thought the war would be over before they got there. Cr. S. Scott, who was deputed to make the presentation, then called on Trooper CUNNINGTON to step forward, and in a very neat speech presented him with a gold medal, with emu and kangaroo engraved on one side, and the words “Presented to Trooper Cunnington by the residents of Dickson's Creek for services rendered in South Africa, 1901-02" inscribed on the other. Trooper CUNNINGTOJN very feelingly thanked the inhabitants for their kindly expression towards him and said that he would ever remember their cheering remarks. The company then sang "Old Lang Syne". Refreshments were partaken of and dancing and singing were kept up until the wee hours in the morning. Mr F. Holding supplied the music, and Mr. H. Beach acted as M.C. The committee desire to thank the Yarra Glen people for their support and attendance.
