The decorative assembly from the top of the wedding cake of Archibald Burke and Eleanor McKew of St Arnaud, married in 1902. Typical of the period, the elaborate construction of floral and symbolic objects with partial shield originally carrying Australian Coat of Arms and Advance Australia. Much of the wax and icing items have disintegrated over the years but some such as the clasped hands, shoe, rising sun and paper floral motifs remain. Representative of a style of decoration for top of wedding cakes c.1900 no longer in practice.construction of floral motifs with symbolic shoes, clasped hands and other symbols of marriage and Australia all under glass dome on a circular wooden base.Nilburke, mckew, donald, starnaud, wedding, cake decoration, wedding ephemera

The name Metcalf should have an (e) on the end. Refer Cat No 5371P for Richard Robert Metcalfe’s service history. The dated certificate is signed is 14th Sept 192? (Possibly 1920 or 21)Certificate from the Borough of Eaglehawk showing ornate configuration of Coat of Arms, soldier standing at Arms Rest with rifle, rising sun above details acknowledging the loss of a soldier from the Mayor, Councillors and Burgesse, an embossed red seal and signed by three Councillors and dated, oval shape inset for a photo which is B & W of the soldier.On front hand written, No 4853 Richard.R. Metcalf 5th Pnr Batt, killed in Action Bullecourt 10th May 1917”certificates, shires, eaglehawk