Black and white copy of original photograph showing a group of about seventy-five pupils at Linton State School, grouped together under a tree.linton state school no. 880, jack shepherd, - ching, ron preston, bill orr, chester megee, harry kennedy, selwyn morgan, geoff petterson, mervyn hunt, alan wishart, albert bryant, - jackson, ab pyke, pud nicol, joe jackson, colin kerr, leo allen, ron allen, wal allen, marj nicol, pearl pyke, mavis crosthwaite, - pyke, iris roberts, betty barr, thora carolan, may jackson, muriel jackson, olive jackson, evelyn pyke, stella jackson, mary ryan, annie brown, mona clarke, pat ryan, doris cornish, maggie kennedy, ivan grigg, hughie mcdonald, bruce vinnicombe, alwyn roberts, mildred shepherd, eileen carolan, esther cluff, ida nelson, jean cluff, rita shields, eunice foster, - branston, beryl megee, helen mcdonald, belle orr, lorna vinnicombe, alma moodie, dawn ingram, marie grigg, lola morgan, joan ryan, bert roberts, gilbert shields, - mcdonald, norm cornish, don shields, jack treganowan, m. hunt, george jackson, geoff megee, syb francis, bob treganowan, jack jackson, stan nicol, keith smith, ted shepherd, len shepherd, frank jackson

This trophy was awarded to William Kermode of Mona Vale for the best pair of Merino ewes exhibited at the Southern Tasmanian Agricultural and Pastoral Society in October, 1879. William Kermode formed the Mona Vale flock in 1829 with VDL C. Saxons. In the early 1870s under Kermode, Ercildoun rams were tried, as was a St Johnstone ram. It is well documented that the famous Steiger-blood ram, Sir Robert (out of a Mona Vale ewe), had considerable impact on a number of Tasmania's influential studs. At its height in the late nineteenth century, Mona Vale was regarded as "... one of Tasmania's leading and parent studs, producing robust fine-wool sheep with quality, long-stapled and dense wool." (Massy 1990: p.406). The first agricultural society in Australia was formed in Hobart on 1 Jan. 1822. The trophy was retailed by Walsh Brothers, Melbourne in c.1875. The cup has no makers marks, but has been attributed by Christie's to Edward Fischer, a local Geelong silversmith. This attribution is based upon stylistic criteria. However, Ms Veronica Filmer of the Geelong Art Gallery (curator of "Geelong's Colonial Silversmiths", Geelong Art Gallery, 1988), has suggested that the lack of stamps is unusual (most of Fishcher's work was stamped) and also that it is somewhat heavy for Fischer's work. The trophy originated from the collection of Edward Clark, an antique dealer. Prior ownership of the trophy is uncertain, but it is believed that Clark purchased it in the mid 1990s from descendants of the original prize recipients.Trophy, sterling silver. Circular, stepped base and tapering stem decorated with cartouches of leaves on a matt background. The bowl of the trophy has an applied belt cartouche with an inscription. Within the belt cartouche is an engraved and embossed panel of two sheep with a cottage in the background. There are ribbon tied floral swags on either side of the cartouche, and a presentation inscription with a beaded border on the reverse of the bowl.SOUTHERN TASMANIAN AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL SOCIETY Presented / to / Joseph Clarke Esq / and awarded to / W.A. Kermode Esq / of Mona Vale / for Best Pair Merino Ewes, / October 1879southern tasmanian agricultural and pastoral society, logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001), fischer, mr edward - silversmiths and jewellers kermode, mr william - mona vale stud clarke, mr joseph, mona vale stud, tasmania