A carved black wooden club with a thick scaled snake coiled around it. At the clubbing end is a solid round ball. It is handmade and believed to have originated in the New Hebrides.weapon wood-carving new hebrides hunting

This Indian club comes from an early 20th century Warrnambool Men’s Physical Culture group but it is not certain which one it was. Gymnastics and Physical Culture groups were very popular in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. They were usually attached to sporting or church groups and had both male and female participants. One important Physical Culture group in Warrnambool was a Sandow group, dedicated to promoting the Sandow philosophies and system of physical exercise. Eugen Sandow was a German who gained fame as a strong man, touring the world demonstrating his feats of strength and promoting his philosophy of health and good living. He toured Australia in 1902 and the result was the formation of many Physical Culture groups promoting the Sandow system. The Warrnambool group was said to be the first Sandow club established in Australia. No information has been found on the name ‘Dicks’ on the base of the club. This Indian club is of interest as a memento of the times in Warrnambool when many gymnastics and physical culture groups were operating. It may be a memento from the Warrnambol Sandow Physical Culture Group. This is a bottle-shaped wooden club with a wooden knob at the top end and three ridges incised into the main section of the club. The wood has been varnished but the surface is now a little rubbed and worn. A name is written on the base in black ink‘……Dicks’ warrnambool physical culture groups, eugen sandow

Carved Maori Wooden Club in Glass Fronted Case with PUA Shellclub, wooden war club, hand carved, new zealand

This wooden juggling club or exercise club may also be referred to as a juggling pin. It is very similar in shape to a bowling pin or an Indian club. It dates approximately to the early 20th century. It may have been used as one of a pair for gymnastics or exercise, or part of a larger set used by a juggler for entertainment in a circus or carnival. At some time it may have been used with a ball or disc as part of a Skittles or bowling game set. The historical collection of Federation University Australia, Victoria, includes a very similar but slightly shorter club, labelled ‘timber skittle”, as can be seen in their photograph. Another example of very similar-shaped, same-sized clubs can be seen in the collection of Nobelius Heritage Park and Emerald Museum, Emerald, Victoria. JUGGLING Jugglers entertain audiences with their tricks and routines at events such as circuses, amusement parks, parties, shows on television or theatre, schools and parties. Juggles also compete at International Championships to obtain world records, performing as individuals or in groups or teams. Contemporary champion juggler David Cain performs a Juggling History Show that both entertains and educates his audience. His routines date from the early 1600s to the 20th century. He uses a wide variety of equipment in his acts including juggling clubs. EXERCISE Exercise clubs or Indian clubs were used in 19th century Victorian times as part of exercise or strengthening programs when they were swung in certain patterns and movements. Even in the early 20th century workplace a few minutes of Indian club swinging was common practice for the relief of tension. A video clip of an American school room in 1904 shows a group of boys and girls skilfully wielding clubs in an exercise sequence (see ‘Links” section). The 1904 and 1932 Olympic Games had an event called Club Swinging. Rhythmic gymnastics was added to the Olympic Program at the L.A. Games in 1984 where competitors use apparatus such as rope, hoop, ball, ribbon and clubs. The clubs come in a variety of weights and heights and have been used from the mid-1800s until around the 1930s in schools and military institutions. They are decorated in a variety of patterns and colours and some have feature lines or scored rings on them. This juggling club is significant for its association with education, entertainment and sport in the late 19th and early 20th century.Wooden juggling club (or pin, skittle or Indian club). Vintage, bottle-shaped club with a flat, slightly concave, base. Its turned, solid timber body tapers out from the base then in again to a very narrow handle with a round knob joined onto the top. Two concentric feature lines are scored into the wider part of club. It was possibly used in exercise, gymnastics or as a skittle. Sections of the club have two brown painted stripes; paint on the lower strip has been worn off at the base . There are remnants of white paint in two areas, possibly the remains of a maker’s name or decoration. There also appears to be an inscription stamped into the wooden handle but this is illegible. Late 19th to early 20th century.Remnants of what appears to be stamped lettering and painted labelling.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, wooden skittle, entertainment, bowling skittle, wooden juggling pin, wooden juggling club, wooden exercise club, indian club, exercise club, club swinging, rhythmic gymnastics, sport equipment, juggling equipment, wooden club

Supposedly belonged to Lomai, the first Christian convert on the island of Tanna, in the New Hebrides. Possibly given as a gift to Presbyterian missionary Dr. John G. Paton.Wooden club

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2.6.2008. This club was brought from New Hebrides to Orbost by Reverend Alex Morton in 1894. Morton was the minister at the Presbyterian church about 1890. He had spent time in new Hebrides and went on to New Zealand.A handmade carved wooden club with carved rings at top and bottom.weapon new-hebrides hunting-club morton

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2.6.2008 - possibly Melanesian origin.A long, thick, handmade wooden club with carved rings at one end and club ball at other,club weapon hunting

Wooden Exercise Clubs painted white

Knobkerrie are clubs used as weapons mainly in South and East Africa. The club end can be used to throw at an animal or to club an enemy's head in. Usually these would be carved from a protruding tree branch. The name is Afrikaans and comes from 'Knop', meaning knot or ball and 'Kierie', meaning cane.Accessioned into the museum collection in 1913 and donated by a Mrs Newcome, there is not much other information on its provenance. However, the museum collection holds several artefacts from this region of South Africa and much of it was collected during the Boer Wars of 1880-1881 and 1899-1902.A wooden club type object. It has a narrow cylindrical handle with a large wooden sphere at the top. The wood is shiny and smooth with a polished effect. The handle is 31.5cm long with a 2cm diameter and the head or knob has a height of 9.5cm and a circumference of 27cm.This would have been hand carved from a protruding tree branch. Towards the end of the handle is a 13.9cm section of zig-zag patterning. Further down towards the 'knob' there looks to be carved into the wood 'Jud'.knobkerrie, boer war, zulu, south africa, ethnography, weapon

A knobkerrie is a form of club used mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. The large knob at one end can be used for throwing at animals in hunting or for clubbing an enemy's head. It would have been carved from a branch thick enough for the knob, with the rest being whittled down to create the shaft. The name is Afrikaans and comes from 'Knop', meaning knot or ball and 'Kierie', meaning cane. A short brown wooden knobkerrie club which has a thin handle and spherical club on one end. It has a leather thong threaded through a hole at the end of the handle. knobkerrie club weapon hunting

This wooden hunting and fighting club is 46cm long. The club end is cone shaped with a sharp point

The lil-lil is a type of club which was made and used only in eastern Australia. It was a dangerous weapon when used in battle.The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were some of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This lil lil club is an example of a wooden weapon used by the Indigenous people of Eastern Australia.A handmade wooden lil-lil club with a long handle and axehead shaped club at one end. Intricately carved with a turtle on one side of the club head and a wild dog on the other.hunting fishing challenge-stick aboriginal

Wooden mallet. Natural wooden construction, possibly aboriginal club Previously #140 Timber knots on head end. Approx 50cm long.first nation tool, mallet

Wooden curved top Probus Club of Ringwood Inc. wall plaque with carved Probus logo and names of club presidents and years of office from 2004 to 2019.Probus Club of Ringwood Inc. Presidents - 2004-2005 Alan Marshall, 2005-2006 Ken Johnston, 2006-2007 David Gibb, 207-2008 Hedley Deacon, 2008-2008 (sic.) Ted Brewster, 2009-2010 John Ulrik, 2010-2011 Ron Hallett, 2011-2012 Alan Marshall, 2012-2013 Alan Marshall, 2014-2015 Ron Hallett, 2015-2016 Derek Williams, 2016-2017 Norm Wensor, 2017-2018 Norm Wensor, 2018-2019 Norm Wensor.

A canvas golf bag with 5 clubs - two wooden and three metal. The bag has leather handles and leather binding. It has wooden handles with leather grips. The inscriptions are too worn to be legible.On one club : R. Forgan & Son Hand forged (crown) Another club St Andrews JIGGER Hand forged Scotlandgolf-clubs recreation leisure sport forgan

Black and white photograph of thirty one girl gymnasts wearing short white frocks, with sashes and holding wooden clubs. Top of picket fence visible at bottom of image. Low picket fence at back with higher metal? Fence behind it. Mounted on grey board Inscriptions: on back - 'Club Swingers 1903', Winners of Austral Competition, Bendigo. 'Miss Stean's pupils', 'photo No.5' (written on white card, taped to back). ' I Harry, 46 Clyde St., East Kew'. Names from top to bottom? M Kerr, Annie Steane, Olwen Parry, B Robertson, E Saunders, L Bolten, L Lee, J Charles, R Wilson, L Wilson, , E Manning, J Steane, E Herschell, M Sapping / Lapping?, E Charles, I Harry, C Manning, E Stevenson, A Hues, L Mitchell, M Simmons, E Stewart, A Curneson / Curnecon?, R Hanson, D Manning, J McCraw, R Judd, B Whitelock, C Tyek, D Unmack.person, group, sports team

A 'Club' wooden squash racquet with string whipping over cloth tape reinforced shoulders, and a leather handle grip, wrapped over cotton padding. Inscription across butt cover: MADE IN/BRITISH/INDIA. Materials: Wood, Gut, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Leather, String, Ink, Cotton, Cloth tapetennis

This trophy, donated by Camperdown Apex Club, was awarded to members of the South Western District for Dinner Notice Excellence. The winners listed on the trophy are Gerard Ryan, Camperdown, Desi Pekin, Cobden, Dale Alexander, Camperdown, Tim Fitzpatrick, Terang, Leigh Parker, Terang, John Berger, Terang, Kevin Dwyer, Koroit, Maree Fenton, Terang, Grant Picone, Terang and Darren Williamson, Colac. The dates range from 1991 to 2002. Apex Clubs are service clubs that provide people with the opportunity to volunteer within their community. Members are aged between 18 and 45. The first Apex Club was formed in Geelong in 1931 and Warrnambool Apex Club was the fifth club formed in 1931. It went into recess in 1941 and was re-established in 1952. The club closed in 2011. This trophy is retained as it comes from the Apex Clubs of the South West District and Warrnambool Apex Club, now closed, was a member of this group. This is a wooden trophy consisting of a wooden base with a wooden plinth with two wooden columns on either side. The columns have a gold-coloured strip running along the entire length of the columns. On top of the plinth is a gold-coloured holder for a pennant or flag. The base and the plinth have gold-coloured metal name plates. All of these contain inscribed names except one. Donated by Camperdown Apex Club South Western District Dinner Notice Excellence warrnambool apex club, history of warrnambool

This is a trophy given to a Warrnambool Football Association by Harry Pritchard. He was a Warrnambool businessman who had the Warrnambool Sports Depot store in Kepler Street in the 1920s. The trophy was for the winner of the Warrnambool Wards Football Association. This was a Junior Association promoted by the Warrnambool Football Club and it existed from 1924 to 1930. It was proposed that the four Council Wards, Hopkins, Victoria, Albert and Merri each had a football team but it is not clear if all had teams and how many teams from other areas took part in the competition. The Pritchard Cup records that the Hopkins Ward Football Team won the trophy in 1926 and that Allansford, a team outside of the four wards, won in 1927. The records of the Allansford Football Club go back to the 1890s. This cup is of considerable interest, firstly as an attractive trophy in its own right and secondly as a memento of a football association connected with the Warrnambool Council Wards. Both the Council Wards structure and the Wards football association no longer exist. This is a silver cup with two ornamental handles, a slender stem and a silver base. The cup has a lid with a knob in the middle. The cup, lid and base are all heavily etched and patterned with scrolls, leaves and flowers. There is an inscription on one side of the cup. The cup sits on a circular brown wooden base which has a cloth or paste mixture affixed to the bottom. The wooden section has two silver plaques with inscriptions. There is a small piece of wood missing on the side of the top of the mount. ‘The Pritchard Cup presented to Warrnambool Ward’s (sic) Football Association by H. Pritchard.’ ‘Won by Hopkins Ward Football Club Season 1926’ ‘Won by Allansford Football Club Season 1927’ football in warrnambool district, harry pritchard, warrnambool 1920s, history of warrnambool

This trophy has been presented to the Warrnambool & District Football League by the South Warrnambool Football Club. This latter club still plays in the Hampden Football League and dates back to the 1880s and possibly beyond and has always been a traditional rival of the Warrnambool Football Club. West End Football Club dates back to the 1890s and joined with the Allansford Football Club in the 1960s to form the West End Allansford team. In 2001 the name ‘West End’ was dropped from the club’s name. Russells Creek Football Club was established in 1931 and still plays in the Warrnambool & District Football League which dates back to the early 1900sThis football trophy is of interest as it comes from the mid 20th century and concerns two local Warrnambool football clubs still existing today and one club that no longer exists.This is a wooden trophy in the shape of a shield. It has a silver scroll on the top and a silver heart shape in the middle. There is a cord on the back of the shield attached by metal hooks for hanging purposes. There are five small shields with etched writing on four of these. The shield is a little scratched. ‘South Warrnambool Football Club Shield’ ‘Warrnambool & District Football League’ ‘R.C.F.C. Premiers 1947 Tom Zanos (Captain) H. Drewitt (Coach)’ ‘W.E.F.C. Premiers 1948 P. Lake Capt. & Coach G.R.Thomas Pres.’ ‘W.E.F.C. Premiers 1949 W.L. ‘Jack’ McMurrick Capt. & Coach’ ‘West End F.C. Premiers 1950 W.L. McMurrick Capt. & Coach’ south warrnambool football club, warrnambool & district football league

This wooden boomerang has been made to promote the Boomerang Club in Warrnambool and to use as a decoration at the Boomerang Club functions. The Warrnambool Boomerang Club was a social club formed in 1934 and it continued until at least 1953. The club had over 200 members enrolled by the late 1930s. The club organized regular activities, including monthly dances, an Annual Ball, Christmas parties, picnics and dinners. Profits from the activities were donated to local charities with over £600 being donated in 1946. This boomerang is of interest as a memento of the Boomerang Club, a social club in Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This is a wooden boomerang painted brown with white and red lettering on the boomerang face and a white border along the edges. The red paint is fading. There is a small hole at the top for attaching the boomerang to a wall or other object. ‘Boomerang Club.’ history of warrnambool, boomerang club, warrnambool

This shield was awarded in 1909 by the Rifle Clubs of South Western Victoria for a rifle-shooting competition. Rifle Clubs operated in Warrnambool from 1860 and possibly earlier and in 1904 a union of rifle clubs in the Warrnambool district was formed - the South Western District Rifle Clubs' Union. Edward Geary was a member of the Mounted Rifles, G Company in the 1890s and served as a sergeant in the Boer War, 1899-1900. He was commended by the founder and commandant of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, Colonel Tom Price, for his bravery in South Africa rescuing wounded soldiers under heavy fire. After the Boer War Geary continued to serve in the Mounted Rifles local unit (later called Australian Lighthorse). He was also a long-time member of the Warrnambool Rifle Club and won this trophy as a member of a Lighthorse unit. This shield is of interest as an example of the early 20th century trophies awarded by the Warrnambool district Rifle Clubs. Gun Clubs and Rifle Clubs have been existing in the Warrnambool district since the 1860s. This is a small wooden shield, lightly polished on the front surface. It has silver-coloured metal plates attached by metal pins to the front of the shield in the form of a scroll, two fern or laurel leaves, printed information and a crown with two crossed rifles. At the back is a metal clip to enable the shield to stand up. 'The Warrnambool Citizens Challenge Shield for Competition by Teams, 1909, of Rifle Clubs in the S.W. District of Victoria won by No.1 Sq. XI, A.L.H. Handicap 65, Total Score 579, Arm. Sgt. E. Geary 88'warrnambool rifle club, edward geary, south western district rifle clubs union, warrnambool history

This junior football shield was given by James Fairbairn (1897-1940), a prominent Western District pastoralist, aviator, local politician and Federal Cabinet minister. He was killed in a Canberra air disaster in 1940. The shield shows that several football teams, including West End, Russells Creek and East Warrnambool won the shield in the 1930s. In 1936 the shield was won outright by West End Football Club. This club, founded in the late 19th century, played in Western District Leagues until 1946 when it joined the newly-formed Warrnambool District Football League. In 1971 it merged with the Allansford Football Club to become the West End-Allansford Club and in 2002 the name ceased to exist when the team name was changed back to Allansford Football Club. This trophy is of interest as a football trophy given over 80 years ago and as a memento of the Warrnambool West End Football Club, a team no longer existing. The sport of Australian football has been, and still is, highly prominent in the Warrnambool district with football first played in the town in 1861. This is a wooden shield with nine silver-coloured metal discs affixed to the shield with metal pins. Eight of these discs are shield-shaped. All of the discs have etched inscriptions. The discs are somewhat stained and the wooden shield has traces of paint on it. There is a wire attached to the back of the shield for hanging on a wall. ‘Warrnambool Junior Football League’ ‘Junior Challenge Shield presented by J.V. Fairbairn Esq. M.L.A. 1932’ ‘Won Outright West End Football Club 1936’ west end football club, warrnambool, j.v.fairbairn

This bat was awarded to Thomas William Southcombe in 1876 for the best batting average during the 1875-6 season at Warrnambool Cricket Club. Thomas William Southcombe was the son of Thomas and Mary Southcombe of Port Fairy. With his parents, Thomas and Mary, he arrived in Port Fairy in 1854. Thomas Senior was a carpenter who established several businesses in Port Fairy and served on the local Council for many years as a Councillor and Mayor. Thomas Junior appears to have migrated to U.S.A. and died there in 1904. The cricket bat was manufactured by the British firm of James Lillywhite, Frowd & Co. James Lillywhite was an English cricketer whose uncle had originally established the sports store and manufacturing business which lasted under various names until the 21st century. A cricketer named Lillywhite played in Warrnambool in 1874 with an All England Team under the captaincy of W.G.Grace. It is not known whether this was James Lillywhite or another member of the Liilywhite family as several of them played first class cricket.. The impression of the signature of W.H.Ponsford on the bat is an intriguing one. W.H. (Bill) Ponsford was a famous Australian cricketer who retired in the late 1930s. The Southcombe cricket bat was given by Mary Southcombe (Thomas’ sister) to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1923 and it is surmised that Bill Ponsford visited Warrnambool in 1957 (tthis appears to be the date under the signature imprint) and was shown the bat. It is then surmised that he rested a piece of paper or an album page on the bat while he signed his name and the impression of the signature has come through onto the bat. The old Museum closed in the 1960s and the bat was then passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society from the Warrnambool City Council collection of items from the Museum. This bat is of considerable importance because of its provenance and its connection with the Warrnambool Cricket Club, the Southcombe family of Port Fairy, the Lillywhite manufacturers, the old Warrnambool Museum and Bill Ponsford. It is also a good example of the type of cricket bat used in Australia in the 1870s. This is a wooden cricket bat (light colour wood, presumably willow) with a handle covered in oiled thread. It has an etched inscription on one side of the bat and the names of the manufacturer and distributor on the other side. There is also a faint impression of another signature. The blade of the bat is slightly curved. ‘W.C.C. Season 1875-6 Presented to T.W. Southcombe, for Best Batting Average’ ‘James Lillywhite Frowd & Co., Manufacturers, Borough, England’ ‘Made for George Marsh, Melbourne’ ‘W.H.Ponsford, -/1/1957’ warrnambool cricket club, thomas william southcombe, w.h.ponsford, warrnambool’s old museum

This pencil was used as an advertising medium for the Warrnambool firm of Archie Graham and Sons. It was given to customers of the firm. Archie Graham (1906-1992) commenced a building business in Warrnambool in the 1930s and was well-known for his many building projects in the city and his innovation in the industry. Archie Graham was a prominent member of the Uniting Church and a tireless worker in community affairs in Warrnambool for sixty years. He planned and organized the street decorations for the Warrnambool Centenary in 1947, was chairman of the committee that developed Albert Park and the Reid Oval and was active in Rotary Club and Cricket Club affairs. He was also a member of the Warrnambool Technical School Council. Today the building in Timor Street for senior citizens and other community use is named after Archie Graham. This pencil is of interest as a memento of the type of complimentary article given to customers of businesses in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century. It is also a memento of Archie Graham, an important businessman and community worker in Warrnambool in the 20th century. This is a large six-sided wooden pencil sharpened at one end. The pencil is painted green with a white band near the top and a black-colored end rounded at the top. The paint on the pencil is slightly chipped. The inside of the pencil contains graphite for writing or drawing. The business name on the side of the pencil is inscribed in gold lettering. ‘With Compliments ARCHIE GRAHAM & SONS WARRNAMBOOL – 4422’ archie graham, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This gong and gavel was presented to the Warrnambool Apex Club in 1953 when the club was re-formed following the disbanding of the club during World War Two. The Warrnambool Apex Club was the fifth club formed in the early 1930s and was a strong and important service club in Warrnambool for many years. It supported the Warrnambool-based Western Region Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre and Beyond Blue, an organization concentrating on men’s mental health. The Warrnambool Apex Club was disbanded in 2011. The Apex gong and gavel are of historical interest as they are a memento of the now-defunct Warrnambool Apex Club. For many years it was an important service club in Warrnambool. These are a gong on a stand and a gavel, used by the Apex Club of Warrnambool to call a meeting to order. The gong is circular and made of silver-coloured metal. It has a metal triangular-shaped emblem of Apex, featuring a rising sun in red and gold colouring and the word ‘Apex’ in gold lettering on a blue background. The gong is hollow at the back and has a wooden insert with a metal plaque attached with four metal screws. The gong is mounted on a rectangular wooden platform, in four layers, pyramidal-shaped. The platform has been lightly polished. The gavel is made of wood and has a round handle and a rectangular knob inserted into the handle. The knob has rounded edges. ‘Presented to Warrnambool Apex Club on the occasion of their re-charter 28.3.53 by the Camperdown Apex Club’. warrnambool apex club, history of warrnambool

This is a plaque given to the Quota Club of Warrnambool in 1983 when it was a finalist in an award given by the Victorian Council of Community Service Clubs. Quota Clubs were established to promote gender equality, to empower women and to assist people with physical and mental disabilities. The Warrnambool Quota Club was active in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s but no longer exists. This item is of some interest as a memento of the work of a service club of the pastThis is a small metal plaque (brass coloured). It has been attached to a wooden board and is much discoloured and blotched.‘Presented by the Government of Victoria to the Quota Club of Warrnambool, Finalist 1983 Award, The Victorian Council of Community Service Clubs’warrnambool quota club, warrnambool, plaque

Bowling in the Kiewa Valley is a popular sport with clubs in each town along the Kiewa Valley. Trophies are a common way of acknowledging winners in the various catagories.Vera Hore lived in Tawonga and was a successful bowler.1. Plastic silver V shaped trophy with Ball enclosed at top. On the ball are 2 bowls in black and blue with a blue kitty. These are surrounded by green. The trophy is mounted on a wooden block which has an inscription on a gold plate at the front. 2. Gold plastic woman bowler mounted on a wooden block which has an inscription on a gold plate at the front.1. 'Vera Drummond Trophy / 2.2.1986 / V. Peers (S). V. Hore, G. Hobbs' 2. 'Muriel Jobling Memorial / 1987 (3RD) / V. Hore' 2. Stamped underneath - "The Trophy Centre / 558 David St. Albury / Ph. 216588"tawonga bowling club, vera hore

"Mal Davidson had this cup. He made the new base from timber from the Bogong mess. He had Terry (Mc Innes) engrave the plate and then left it with us at the North Beauty Store where it was displayed. It created quite a lot of conversation over the years. During our pack up we discovered it on the shelf in the shed. " Wendy and Terry Mc InnesTawonga football club, Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, Bogong Mess, Mal Davidson, North Beauty Store; Wendy and Terry McInnesDull gold cup with a handle on opposite sides mounted on a wooden base. Cup is large with a neck between it and its base. Inscribed near the lip of the cup and an inscription attached to the bottom of the wooden base. Handles are large rising higher than the lip and are 'ear' shaped.On the gold cup: 'Presented by / J. Johnston / to / Tawonga Football Club / Premiers / 1947' On the wooden base: 'Base made from timber used in / Construction of Bogong Mess 1947. / Made and donated by Mal Davidson / Engraving by North Beauty Store.'football trophy, tawonga, j. johnston, bogong mess, kiewa hydro electric scheme, w and t mcinnes, north beauty store

The Athletics Club under the guidance of a committee of workers, which included Mr Stan Hemmings and Mr Alex McCullough, sponsored a Junior Athletics Club which became the Gra-Y Club for young boys and HY-Y for older lads. Mr A E Clark (YMCA) had the idea of adopting the American Gra-Y System which was to instil in the boys good principles and values similar to those of the service clubs i.e. YMCA, the Masons and Buffalo Lodge. Story has it that the town was virtually crime free for many years. The Athletics Club became a very powerful force in Mount Beauty and assisted other fledgling groups to get started. The committee had the bright idea that they could raise money and entertain the men who lived in the outlying camps by running sporting exhibitions by their members and the Gra-Y boys for entertainment.It is a connection to the early history of Mount Beauty regarding the start of an athletics club and the activities of the town.Wooden shield with metal 'ribbon' shaped engraved heading below which are 25 small (of varying sizes) metal shields each engraved with the winner's name, group and date. The dates range from 1952 to 1965. On the back, top middle, is a metal piece surrounding a hollow to enable the shield to be hung up on a flat surface.Heading: "Mt Beauty Junior Gra-y". Example of a small shield "Won by / Group 7 / R.Scott (Ldr) / 4th Quarter / 1953" mt beauty. gra-y club. juniors.