State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 01/01/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold medal & watch chain, suitably inscribed, to:
1st Victorian Mounted Rifles –
77 Private Henry PATTISON
Presentation made by Councillor Doherty, during a picnic on New Year’s Day.
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Yea Chronicle, 10th January 1901
KING PARROT CREEK.
On New Year’s Day a picnic was held to honour the return of Private PATTISON from South Africa. During the afternoon Councillor Doherty, on behalf of the residents of Strath Creek and district, presented Private PATTISON with a handsome gold watch chain and a beautifully inscribed medal. Private PATTISON, who, on receiving the present, was visibly affected, returned thanks in a few well-chosen words. After a deal of cheering a programme of mounted events was gone through by the local members of the Mounted Rifles. The Victoria Cross was won by Private T. Toll after a splendid contest with Private G. McLean. The Fugitive Race was won by Mr E. Doherty and Private H. Noye, after an exciting finish with J. Doherty and Private H. Callander. A number of races were got up for the children and were carried out very satisfactorily. In the evening a ball was held in the hall which was filled to overflowing. The music was supplied by Mr T. Underwood and the catering was in the hands of Mr Parker, of Broadford, and was admirably carried out. Dancing was kept up with spirit till the wee sma' hours, and was thoroughly enjoyable. It is proposed to tender Private PATTISON a smoke night on the first of February.
