State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 29/04/1902
Number issued: 9
Gold medals, to:
159 Trooper William Walter Jewell STENNING [Stening]
1080 Trooper Michael PHELAN
Presentation made by Captain Chirnside, M.L.A., at the Mechanics' Institute, Werribee.
"He [Trooper Moore] proceeded thither [to Werribee] with some half-dozen comrades, where they were each presented with a gold medal commemorative of the occasion" (Bendigo Advertiser).
Sten[n]ing received a second tribute medal from Carlton.
SUNDRY ITEMS.
BACK FROM THE WAR.
WELCOME HOME SOCIAL TO THE WERRIBEE MEMBERS OF THE 5TH CONTINGENT.
TUESDAY night will be long remembered by the people of Werribee, when they welcomed back their brave lads from South Africa. At 6.30 p.m. the proceedings opened in front of the Shire Hall. Councillor Beamish, in the presence of a large number of people, formally, on behalf of the people of Werribee, welcomed the soldiers back to the district, congratulating them on the splendid work they had done in the field; also on their safe return. Mr G.W. Cooke ably supported Cr. Beamish. A procession, headed by the Gordon brass band, was then formed, under command of Marshals Neil and Scales, and proceeded through the township, and back again to the Mechanics' Institute, where a programme of music, speeches, &c., was given. Mr Crouch, M.H.R., was in the chair. On his right were the returned soldiers, 9 in all, and on his left were Mr Keast, M.L.A., and Captain Chirnside, M.L.A., Major Evans, and Lieutenant Scott.
The programme was opened by the singing of "Rule Britannia" by the audience. Mr White followed with a patriotic song, "Australians marching on", the audience joining in the chorus. Then followed a vocal duet by the Misses Roberts, entitled "Life's dream is o'er".
The Chairman, Mr Crouch, M.H.R., on rising, stated that, through the courtesy of Captain Chirnside, he occupied the chair at this gathering. Captain Chirnside had waived his claim in favour of himself, owing to his occupying a seat in the Federal Parliament. In a stirring address the chairman praised the members of the Fifth Contingent, saying that, by their manly conduct throughout, they had repudiated all the calumnious charges made against them.
The next item on the programme was a character sketch, entitled "Appropriate music", by Mr Moran, followed by a violin and piano selection by Mr and Mrs Sinclair; and a sword dance by Master Bert Smith.
Captain Chirnside, M.L.A., then said a few words, more particularly, addressed to the returned soldiers.
The next item was a song, "Not while we have British pluck", by Mr A. Comben, followed by a song by Mr Ternes; and a song by Mr H. Scott.
Mr Keast, M.L.A., then delivered an address. Mr Keast, who is well known in the district, and is a universal favourite, was very well received by the audience, which by this time numbered nearly 400.
At this stage the Chairman presented the medals to the returned soldiers, each one responding. Their names are Privates BEAMISH, COLLINS, HAYES, JOHNSON, H. JOHNSON, G. KING, MOORE, M. PHELAN, and STENNING. Private H. MOORE gave a short account of their doings while in South Africa, and Private H. JOHNSON vindicated the character of General Beatson.
The chairman, Mr Crouch, and his friends, Major Evans, and Lieut. Scott, also Mr Keast, had to leave the hall at this stage, to return to Melbourne.
For the remainder of the programme Mr G.W. Cooke ably filled the chair. The next items were a song by Mr Green; a song by Mr G. Schulze; a Scottish dance by Master Bert Smith; and a humorous song by Mr Cole.
A vote of thanks to the performers, and all those who assisted, was moved by Mr Stephen Tinkler, and seconded by Mr Bayley.
The national anthem concluded the programme.
