Photo of Tom Duggan in boxing apparel. Australian Champion. South African champion middleweightsport - boxing, thomas duggan

The Conder Shield was sponsored by Major Wally Conder, a keen sportsman (amongst other occupations,) who sought to promote wrestling and boxing during his time as president of the Victorian Amateur Wrestling and Boxing Association. Presented to the winning club of the Inter-Club Gymnasium Competition, over a series of matches in individual athleticism. These included skipping, roller cycling and chinning bar, as well as light-weight, middle-weight and welter-weight wrestling. The clubs that vied for this shield were the Trojans (from the RVIB), Bonbeach Surf and Life Saving Club and Beattie's Physical Culture School. In 1934, the Trojans team consisted of Neil Westh, Charlie Bradley, A. McDonald, T. Hanlon, B. Cook and coach/captain V. Blucher. Mr Henry Vincent Blucher was a former police constable to lost his sight in 1931 due to a car accident, and who had previously held the title of Victorian novice middleweight. Metal plates on shield read: V.A.G.A. Inter-club gym contest 1933-34 Won by "Trojans" B.P.C.C. V.A.G.A. Inter-club gym contest 1935 Won by V.R.I. Gym Club Won by "Trojans" 1936 Won by "Trojans" 1937 Runners Up Bonbeach 1934 Runners Up Trojans 1935 Runners Up "Achilles" 1936 Runners Up "Achilles" 1937 Achilles Runners Up 1938 Presented by W.T. ConderImage of wooden shield with metal plaques and map of AustraliaInter-Club Gymnasium Competition conducted by Victorian Amateur Gymnasium Associationrecreation, royal victorian institute for the blind, awards

This item is of significance because it commemorates the unveiling of a life size bronze statue of Australian middleweight boxing champion Les Darcy at Maitland, NSW. This limited edition badge was given as a memento to the sponsor's of the monument and special guests who attended the unveiling. It has historic relevance because Les Darcy was born at Stradbroke near Maitland in 1895. He died in America in 1917 age 22 and is buried in the West Maitland cemetary where hundreds of tourists make visits every year. His family home in Maitland still stands and is also a tourist attraction although privately owned. The badge depicts an image of Les Darcy in his famous boxing pose.The figure of Darcy is surrounded by a floral motif depicting the Australian coat of arms at the top and the inscription Les Darcy Memorial encircling his image. A scroll at the bottom of of the medal says; Maitland Wonder.badge, les darcy, boxiing, sport, memorial, maitland, nsw.