The Sheriff's Cup was awarded to the winner of the Under 16 Flat Race at the annual Ballarat College sports day. (Ballarat College later became Ballarat & Clarendon College.) The Ballarat Star, 16 November 1889, p. 4, reported" "The Flat Race, under 16 years, brought out the largest field. It was won by W. McCook in fine style." William McCook, born 1873, was a son of Archibald McCook, who managed Mt Bute and other pastoral stations for Sir Samuel Wilson. William McCook also managed Mt Bute station, between 1907 and 1917.Silver trophy awarded to W. McCook for an under 16 Flat Race.Text: ' The Sheriff's Cup / 1889 / FLAT RACE UNDER 16 / GIFT OF / W.D. Anderson, Esq. / WON BY / W. McCook.'william mccook, sport, awards, trophies, ballarat college, mt bute [pastoral station]

The handkerchief was sent during World War I by Gordon Paine to Joyce McCook, then age 4, a daughter of William McCook, who at that time was manager of Mt Bute pastoral station. Gordon Paine was born in Ballarat, and enlisted for military service in 1915. His connection to the McCook family is so far not known.White muslin embroidered handkerchief. Yellow stitched border. Left upper quarter has a purple embroidered pansy with six embroidered flags and brown embroidered text. Handkerchief has been folded into 4 sections, mounted and framed.Text: ' SOUVENIR de FRANCE ' / to / my little Joyce / from / Gordon Paine / May 1916 / "Somewhere in / Flanders 'world war i, gordon paine, handcrafts, textiles