State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 12/05/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal of the Order, to:
Presentation made by Bro. W.H. Talbett, on behalf of fellow members of the Burnley Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabites (I.O.R.), in Richmond Town Hall, Melbourne.
Inscribed: "Presented to Bro. W. Brunsden, of the Fifth Contingent, on his safe return from South Africa by the members of the Burnley Adult and Juvenile Tents; May 12, 1902".
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.
Burnley Tent, I.O.R.
The fourteenth anniversary of the Burnley Tent was celebrated in the Richmond Town Hall on Monday, 12th inst., by a concert and bioscope entertainment, when a varied programme of songs, recitations, and musical selections was gone through. The following kindly contributed: — Misses Fanny Lyndhurst, Fagan, Terrill, Rossow, and Pearl Green, and Messrs Palmer, Twyford, Ritter, Henderson, and Hardie. The attendance was a large one, the hall being well filled. The various items were greatly appreciated, the length of the programme prohibiting encores. The bioscope pictures were illustrated by Bro. A. Gunn, P.D.C.R., who acted as lanternist; they were well received and applauded, as they really deserved to be.
The chair was occupied by Bro. John Vale, D.C.R., who gave an interesting address on the benefits of the Order. There were also present Bro. W. Bell, D.S., and Bro. Chas. Fullwood, a P.D.C. Ruler of the Queensland district, and last, but not least, Private Bro. W. BRUNSDEN, of the Fifth Contingent, lately returned to his home and friends by the "St. Andrew".
Advantage was taken of the occasion to publicly welcome Bro. BRUNSDEN, which was done in a few well-chosen words by Bro. J.L. Ambrose, P.C.R., on behalf of the Juvenile Tent, in which the brother was early trained in his principles of Rechabitism.
Bro. W.H. Talbett, secretary of the adult tent, presented the returned soldier with a gold medal of the Order, bearing the following inscription: — "Presented to Bro. W. Brunsden, of the Fifth Contingent, on his safe return from South Africa by the members of the Burnley Adult and Juvenile Tents; May 12, 1902". Mr Talbett said he hoped the brother would not look upon it for its intrinsic value, but as a small token of the regard in which he was held by his fellow members for the patriotic spirit which actuated him in going and upholding the nation's flag when duty called him to do it.
The chairman then asked for three cheers, which were given in true Australian style.
On behalf of the Tent, Bro. J. Yale then presented to Bro. G. Newlands a Past Officer's certificate, nicely framed, and hoped he would place the same in his front room and ever regard it as a reward for labour in a righteous cause.
