The letters J.W. E. refer to the artist - John Wolfgang Elischer (1891-1966). He was an Austrian sculptor and medallist. He trained at the Academy of Vienna from 1908 to 1911; won the Prix de Rome in 1909; and c1910-11, practised under Rodin in Paris. He arrived in Australia in 1935. During his first year he was an industrial designer for pottery. Later works include the King George V Memorial in Bendigo (1938), a bronze fountain for Sir Russell Grimwade in Toorak and a bust of Archbishop Mannix for Newman College, University of Melbourne. The medal was awarded to the school children in 1951 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Federation of Australia. The design was chosen after a competition, with the valuable cash prize of two hundred guineas. This is part of a large donation of material relating to the Deakin, Mair and Young families, all with connections to the SUrrey Hills and Mont Albert area.This is one example of the work of Amor Mint. In 1874 Willliam Joseph Amor was apprenticed to English medallists J.S. and A.B. Wyon. Nine years later he went to Paris, where he remained until 1887. Intending to go to America and work his way home to England, he visited Sydney en route and was persuaded by Robert Hunt, Deputy-Master of the Sydney Mint, to stay and start his own business. Amor established the business in 1888 and married the daughter of the Chief Engineer of the Sydney Mint. In 1917 Amor became a limited company, in which principal employees were given an interest. In 1935 Amor sold his share to A.H. Byatt, retaining a position as Advisory Director of the business. Amor’s company became Sydney’s major medallist and die-sinker for over a century thanks to its ability to meet demand for locally produced, high-quality commemoratives.A round medallion with a loop hole at the top. Front: A man advancing to the right sowing seeds by hand; at left 1901, at right 1951 in tiny letters near ground right the artist's initials, J.W.E. Back: At top a star; below which are the words, FIFTY YEARS / COMMONWEALTH / OF AUSTRALIA. Below this are seven ears of wheat representing the States and Northern Territory of Australia."1901", "1951", "J.W.E.", "FIFTY YEARS / COMMONWEALTH / OF AUSTRALIA" mont albert central school, laurie young, laurie newton, education, commemorative medals, federation, 1951

Commemorative Medal 1901-1951 50th Anniversary Federation. Issued to schools.medals, 1901-1951

This medal was awarded to the school children of Australia in 1951 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Federation of Australia. The design was chosen after a competition, with the valuable cash prize of two hundred guineas. It was won by John Wolfgang Elischer for his depiction of a man hand-sowing wheat. The wheat has grown to represent the seven States of Australia on the other side of the medal. Elischer was an Austrian sculptor and an Associate of the Royal Academy.Fifty Years of the Commonwealth of Australia 1901 - 1951.This medal was awarded to the school children of Australia in 1951 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Federation of Australia. The design was chosen after a competition, with the valuable cash prize of two hundred guineas. It was won by John Wolfgang Elischer for his depiction of a man hand-sowing wheat. The wheat has grown to represent the seven States of Australia on the other side of the medal. Elischer was an Austrian sculptor and an Associate of the Royal Academy. This is a round medal and is bronze in colour. On the front is a man throwing seed on the ground with the dates, 1901-1951, and on the back the words, "FIFTY YEARS COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA". along with a carving of the sun and seven ears of wheat representing the States and Territory.1901, 1951, commonweath australia medal

The item is a 50th Anniversary of Commonwealth of Australia Schools Medal 1951. The medal was awarded to school children of the commonwealth of Australia in 1951 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Federation of Australia. The design was chosen after a competition, with the valuable cash prize of two hundred guineas, it was won by John Wolgang Elischer for his depiction of a man hand sowing wheat, The wheat has grown to represent the seven States of Australia on the other side to the medal Elischer was an Austrian sculptor and an Associate of the Royal Academy. The medal also had a red white and blue ribbon and a bar inscribed SUNRSYSIA, however this is missing on the subject itemCommemorating fifty years since Federation in 1901 specifically for school children in 1951 signifies a milestone in Australia's history. A commemorative medallion for 50 years Commonwealth of Australia. The medallion on one side has a man sewing seeds with the dates 1901 - 1951. The reverse has "50 Years Commonwealth of Australia" with a sun at the top and wheat at the bottom representing the number of Australian States. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, medal, fifty years commonwealth of australia, commemorative medal, bronze medal

This medal was awarded to the school children of Australia in 1951 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Federation of Australia. The design was chosen after a competition, with the valuable cash prize of two hundred guineas. It was won by John Wolfgang Elischer for his depiction of a man hand-sowing wheat. The wheat has grown to represent the seven States of Australia on the other side of the medal. Elischer was an Austrian sculptor and an Associate of the Royal Academy who arrived in Australia in 1935. During his first year he was an industrial designer for pottery. Elischer, P. Hurry and John Farmer together held an exhibition of works at the Athenaeum, Melbourne, in June 1937. Elischer later received commissions for sculptures including the King George V Memorial in Bendigo (1938), a bronze fountain for Sir Russell Grimwade in Toorak and a bust of Archbishop Mannix for Newman College, University of Melbourne. Elischer died in 1966.This item is significant because it was issued to all Australian school children, including those in Wodonga.A bronze Commemorative medal issued to Australian school children to mark the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Australia. It is a round medal with a loop at the top.Front (obverse) Man advancing towards the right sowing seeds by hand. At left 1901, at right 1951. In very small letters near ground right, J.W.E Back (reverse) At top a star. In centre FIFTY YEARS / COMMONWEALTH / OF AUSTRALIA At bottom seven ears of wheat representing the States and Northern Territoryfederation of australia, australian commemorative medals

Medal with hole for hanging to commemorate 50 years of the Commonwealth. Embossed. Smooth edgeSide 1: 1901 1951; Reverse: Fifty Years Commonwealth of Australialocal history, numicmetrics, medal - commemorative, medal, federation