Historical information

The following is an extract from Warrnambool and District Historical Society Website which explains briefly the Great Exhibition of 1896-97
The Great Industrial and Art Exhibition in Warrnambool in 1896-97 was an exciting affair for the town and the surrounding area. People came from far and wide to be enlightened, educated and entertained, with 70,000 visitors passing through the doors during the three months of the exhibition. Not bad for a town with a population of only 6,500 and a further 9,200 living in the surrounding shire!

Planning began at a public meeting attended by 60 people in May 1896 and the exhibition opened in December the same year on the site of the current Light House Theatre. The architects submitted plans for four annexes, complete with turrets, a fernery and a giant flagpole. The site covered 1 acre and included a Marine court, industrial exhibits, an education court, defense and agriculture court, stalls, coach builders, dairy show, an art court and provision for a smorgasbord of various entertainment. (The Story of the Warrnambool Industrial & Art Exhibition 1896-97- E O’Callaghan)
This certificate was one of many awards for competency and /or excellence in a wide range of activities and skills.
Warrnambool Industrial & Art Exhibition 1896-1897
Competitions-Piano forte solo
Gertrude Lewin- prizewinner
W J Hickford- Mayor
E Lyle Rossiter

Significance

As a link to one of the biggest events ever held in Warrnambool this item has significant value to the history of Warrnambool. It has social significance also linking a number of names related to the event.

Physical description

Rectangular cardboard. pale cream and aqua background, multi linear gold and deeper aqua border with rounded and right angled corners. An interior border has a swag, linear vertical ribbons with four emblems related to science, labour, arts and industry. Four local black and white photographs, the town council crest and town officials, patron and councillors. An inscription of the prizewinner, event and signatures is written in a cream square in the middle of the certificate.

Inscriptions & markings

Warrnambool/Industrial & Art Exhibition
Opened Dec 21st 1896/ By the Chief Justice of Victoria/ Sir John Madden, K.C.M.G. upper L corner.
Closed March 19th 1897/ By the Mayoress of Warrnambool/ Mrs WJ Hickford

'First Order of Merit/ Awarded to Gertrude Lewin/ of Parkville/ for Piano forte Solo (under 15)

Signatures of WJ Hickford, President and E Lyle Rossiter, Secretary