State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 03/06/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal & scarf pin, to:
WELCOME HOME.
COMPLIMENTARY SMOKE-NIGHT TO TROOPER FRED. GIREENAWAY.
On Saturday evening last a complimentary smoke-night. wase tendered to Trooper Fred. GREENAWAY, 5th V.I.R., at the Hotel de France, Panton Hill. The large room in which the event was held was nicely decorated for the occasion, and unmistakeably testified to the artistic abilities of the ladies who so kindly undertook this labour of love. The table was nicely set off with flowers, and there was a buttonhole bouquet for each gentleman present. On the wall were two mottoes, traced out in white and coloured heath with a background of green ferns. One was "F.G." (the initials of the guest of the evening), "Welcome Home", and the other read "Welcome Home to a Khaki Soldier". There was a fairly large attendance of gentlemen present, and E.H. Cameron, Esq., M.L.A., occupied the chair, and, after the health of the King was drunk, proposed the toast of "The guest of the evening, Trooper Fred GREENAWAY", and in doing so referred to the high esteem in which which Ar. GREENAWAY is held by those who had known him from childhood upward. He (the Chairman) felt proud that so many went to the seat of war from his constituency, and he was always pleased to be at "welcome homes" of this nature. He had attended several, and would have liked a to have been in attendance at others, but business had prevented him. He considered that those who faced the dangers of death by bullets and disease in going to South Africa deserved well of their country when they returned, and he was certain that the patriotism and bravery shown by the Australians had considerably strengthened the British nation in the eyes of the world. He was pleased indeed to welcome their guest home and to see him looking so well, and had much pleasure in proposing the toast of "Our Soldier Guest". The toast was supported by neat speeches by Messrs S. Cracknell, sen., E.J. Coutie, J.H. Miller, R.C. Harris, and P. Plunkett, sen., all of whom testified to the respect they held for Trooper GREENAWAY, and expressed admiration for all those who had gone to South Africa and assisted the Mother Country in her time of trouble. The toast was drunk with gusto, accompanied with musical honours, and a Trooper GREENAWAY replied, heartily thanking the proposer of the toast and its supporters for the kind remarks made, and the company generally for the manner in which they had received it, and sat down amidst great cheering. The other toasts honoured were "The Ladies", proposed by Mr Harris and supported by Mr Geo. Coutie, and "The Chairman", proposed by Mr J.H. Miller, drunk with musical honours and three rousing cheers. Mr Cameron suitably replied. During the proceedings a number of songs were given, which added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. The vocalists were: – Messrs Herbert Howard, Jones, S. Cracknell, sen., P. Plunkett, jun., and a stranger. The proceedings terminated shortly after 10 o'clock.
PRESENTATION TO TROOPER F. GREENAWAY.
On Tuesday evening last Trooper F. GREENAWAY, of the 5th V.I.R., was, at the Panton Hill Hall, presented with a gold medal and a gold pin. The former was prettily engraved and on one side bore his monogram and on the other the inscription, "Presented to Trooper Fred. Greenaway, 5th V.I.R., on his return from the Boer war, by residents of Panton Hill and district. 3/6/02". Mr Marris occupied the chair, and in a very neat speech referred to the object of their gathering together that evening and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present and at presiding on so auspicious an occasion, as peace had been declared and it was also the Prince of Wales Birthday.
Before making the presentation a short programme of instrumental and vocal music was gone through, the overture being played by Mrs Sullivan, (formerly Miss Marris).
In making the presentation the chairman referred to the patriotic part Australians had taken in the war, the good work they had done in fighting under the grand old flag; complimented their guest in having taking part in the first step towards building-up Australian history; and had much pleasure in presenting to him on behalf of the residents of Panton Hill and district with a gold medal and gold pin, which he asked him to prize not because of their money value but because of the good wishes and esteem accompanying them.
Trooper GREENAWAY in accepting the presents suitably thanked the donors, and said that he would always treasure the beautiful gifts, and doubly more so for the very kind remarks and wishes accompanying them. On resuming his seat he was lustily cheered, and the musical programme was resumed, at the completion of which a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, on the motion of Messrs Harris and Cracknell, sen., and acknowledged by the chairman.
The programme was as follows: – Chairman, address; overture, Mrs Sullivan; recitation, "Old Soldier", Mr Taylor; song, "Break the news to mother", Miss Con. Marris; song, Mr Wm. Quarman; mouth organ (with piano accompaniment), Miss Connie Marris; presentation, Chairman to Mr F. GREENAWAY; song, "Ever of thee", Miss Cohen; song, "Just as the sun went down", Mrs C. Marris; junr.; song, Mr H. Howard; song, "Dreamland", Mrs Sullivan; song, "Long Ago", Miss Dousett; song, "Won't you buy my pretty flowers", Misses B. Purcell and E. Plunkett; mouth organ solo, Mr Williams.
PANTON HILL.
WELCOMES TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Our country correspondents report that at the undermentioned places welcome demonstrations have been held in honour of the return from the war of local members of Victorian Contingents: –
