This book was awarded to Mary Elizabeth Pyers in 1886 for a prize for repetition of hymns. Mary entered Clarendon Ladies' College in 1886. In the original register Mary's married name became Mrs. Duncan, father's christian name is listed as George, his occupation as squatter and his residence as Lawler Station Donald. "Mrs. Duncan (M. Pyers).-Early in the year Mrs. Duncan was appointed a "Justice of the peace." In April, during the ceremony of unveiling a "Pioneer Memorial" at the Minyip Hospital, a sun-dial was erected on the front lawn inscribed thus: "Erected by Welfare League to Mary Duncan in appreciation of her life's work for the district, 1929." Mrs. Duncan was particularly pleased with a congratulatory message from Clarendon and declares that "so much of the 'better things' for which I have been chosen are on account of early influence and wise guidance, especially from dear Mrs. Kennedy." (The Touchstone, December, 1929, p. 5.)Presbyterian educators placed great value on a classical education matched with diligence in study. Book prizes were highly regarded and academic success admired. In the school’s early years prizes were ordered direct from London and had the school crest embossed in gold on the front or back cover. Many of the prizes given in early years were returned to the school to equip the Weatherly Library when it opened in 1936.Bound in brown cloth with black and gilt illustration on front cover and spine. Slight detached spine and pages, slight foxing on pages, black and white illustrations throughout, 379 pages.Book plate inside front cover: CLARENDON LADIES' COLLEGE./ BALLARAT./ Repetition of Hymns./ AWARDED TO/ Mary E. Pyers/ December, 1886.mary-elizabeth-pyers, 1886, book-prize, clarendon-ladies'-college, mrs-duncan, george, lawler-station-donald, the-touchstone-december-1929, mrs-kennedy.