Historical information

The Ballarat School of Mines was established in 1870, and was the first school of Mines in Australia.

Physical description

A Ballarat School of Mines printed Certificate on Competency with red seal. Handwritten inclusions. The certificate was made out to Matthew Fern.

Inscriptions & markings

"This is to certify that Matthew Fern has successfully passed the ordinary examination held at the School of Mines in the October term 1890 in the subject of Mechanics as Applied to Mining."