State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: bef. 01/05/1900
Number issued: 5
15-carat gold shields, suitably inscribed, to:
4th Victorian (Imperial Bushmen's) Contingent –
582 Private Mark Edward DONALDSON
??? Private Harry HARNELL (no record found - may not have served; seemingly replaced by 20 Private Robert Quinn)
583 Private William Joseph HAYES
1 Private Charles Thomas HOWATT
478 Private Reginald Percy NORTON
The design is a shield with the Australian coat of arms on one side, and the inscription on the reverse side. On the top of the shield are two hands clasping representing “Hands across the Sea”.
"A very nice gold guard ..... had been selected to carry a gold medal, that had been previously presented to Trooper Donaldson before leaving for South Africa" (McIvor Times, 28/03/1901).
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McIvor Times, 5th April 1900
The Australian-Imperial Contingent.
SEND OFF TO THE TOOBORAC MEMBERS.
That Tooborac has been caught in the wave of patriotism that is sweeping over Victoria no less irresistibly than over any part of our good Queen’s dominions, is evident from the fact of five of our brave lads of the district (Messrs H. HARNELL, J. HAYES, E. DONALDSON, C. HOWATT, R. NORTON) having offered their services to fight for Empire and Freedom. That all five passed the tests necessary to admit them to Langwarrin camp, where they may undergo the military training required to fit them for active service in South Africa, shows that they have in them the stuff of which heroes are made, and has given general satisfaction to the residents, who are rightly proud of our gallant fellows. That they were delighted to honour them has been amply verified, for, though they returned unexpected in Tooborac on Wednesday morning last by train, a few admiring friends proved their fitness for the emergency, by promptly arranging that a social gathering should take place in the local Mechanics’ Institute that evening. Accordingly, all whom it was possible to communicate with in the limited time were invited to meet our “Soldiers of the Queen” in the hall, which, as the evening advanced, was well filled with a well-wishing sympathetic throng, who by their united efforts enabled the guests to spend a most enjoyable evening.
Dancing commenced about 10 o’clock, Mr P. [illegible] acting as M.C. in an efficient manner. Miss Gilmore and Mr W. Gilmore provided excellent music, and dancing was indulged in till about 12 o’clock, when refreshments were partaken of. The ladies, who are always to be relied upon to assist a noble cause, on receiving the news of the projected send-off had immediately set about preparing such dainties as have seldom been provided for a Tooborac assemblage, and that the product of their efforts was highly appreciated was shown unmistakably by the “vigorous and well-sustained attack” on the comestibles, which, however, was not sufficient to completely deprive the juveniles of their promised share on the morrow.
During the interval Mr J.J. Dickinson, who acted as chairman, after a few appropriate and well-chosen remarks, called on the following gentlemen: – Messrs E. Hayes, D. [illegible], J. [illegible], H. Harding, W. Gilmore and [illegible], who all expressed themselves in words that, while showing their anxiety for their safe return, revealed a deep admiration for the spirit which had prompted the young men to offer their services in the Australian-Imperial Contingent. Mr Harry HARNELL feelingly responded on behalf of his comrades. A collection for the purpose of presenting each with a souvenir was then taken up, and the sum of £8 14s was subscribed. This will be materially augmented by expected additions to the amount.
Melbourne Argus, 1st May 1900
HEATHCOTE.
The Tooborac members of the Australian Imperial Regiment have been each presented by their friends and well-wishers in the district with a gold medal. The trophy is in the form of a shield, the Australian coat of arms on one side, and a suitable inscription on the reverse.
McIvor Times, 3rd May 1900
A HANDSOME TROPHY.
The residents of Tooborac and other well-wishers in this district in order to mark their appreciation of the patriotism exhibited by the several Tooborac boys who have enlisted in the Imperial Australian Contingent for South Africa, subscribed a sum of money in order to make each member of the regiment from this district a suitable memento of their good wishes. Accordingly a very handsome gold medal has been obtained for each member. The design is a shield with the Australian coat of arms on one side, and the inscription on the reverse side. On the top of the shield are two hands clasping representing “Hands across the Sea”. The trophy was manufactured in Bendigo from 15 carat gold, and should prove a very acceptable memento of the good feelings and wishes extended to our local “Soldiers of the Queen”, by their numerous friends.
McIvor Times, 28th March 1901
TOOBORAC.
A presentation was made to Trooper DONALDSON on Saturday evening last at the Sugarloaf Hotel. Mr E. Hayes acted as Chairman, and in making the presentation, (a very nice gold guard, which had been selected to carry a gold medal, that had been previously presented to Trooper DONALDSON before leaving for South Africa) said he felt proud of Trooper DONALDSON as a nephew of his, and he was sure everyone who subscribed to the present felt proud of him as a soldier. The Chairman assured Trooper DONALDSON that the present carried with it the good wishes of everyone who donated to it, and he hoped he would live long to wear it in remembrance of their kindness. Trooper DONALDSON, in thanking him for the handsome present, said he was not used to making speeches and could hardly find words to thank them for their handsome present. Mr Jas. Harnell, senr., favoured the company with a song called the "Bold Soldier Boy", Messrs W Gilmore, M. Harnell, and others entertained the company with songs, a pleasant evening being spent.
