Historical information

They are both pieces of ribbon used for the opening of the snowy River Bridge on July 4 1922.
The ribbon was made to represent the red, white and blue of the British flag. This was the second bridge over the Snowy River.
The first bridge was officially opened in August, 1893 (ref. S.R.M. 12.8.1893) by Mrs W. Watt, the mother of Councillor Watt, who presided over the opening of the 1922 bridge. This bridge was extensively damaged when a herd of cattle allegedly stampeded over it causing the cable to snap. Even after repairs it became obvious that a new bridge was needed. This second bridge, was built by the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board. Constructed at a cost of 35,000 pounds and used second-hand girders from the Flinders Street- Spencer Street viaduct. On July 4 1922 it was officially opened by Mrs James Cameron. Unfortunately, her husband, who had long championed the building of the bridge so that it would be ready for the railway to continue to the border, was too ill to attend the ceremony. In fact, James Cameron died on July 13 after a long and severe illness (ref. S.R.M. 20.7.1922).

Significance

Souvenirs kept by enthusiastic spectators like this have helped to preserve the history of an important Orbost event.

Physical description

Two pieces of ribbon in British flag pattern of red, white and blue. These have been pinned onto card with a handwritten description of their history.