Historical information

This trophy was awarded in 1934 to the Congregational Men’s Institute (C.M.I.), a men’s group attached to the Congregational Church at that time. A Congregational Church was opened in Liebig Street, Warrnambool in 1864 and a new church was opened in Henna Street in 1940. In 1979 this church was sold to the Salvation Army following the merging of the Congregational and Methodist Churches, re-forming as the Uniting Church. It is assumed that “W.C.A.’ refers to the Warrnambool Cricket Association. Cricket has been a dominant and popular sport in Warrnambool since the days of the first settlement of the town. Today the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association encompasses 13 clubs operating in three divisions.

Significance

This cup is of interest, being one of the trophies won in the 1930s by the Congregational Men’s Institute, a leading men’s church group in Warrnambool at the time.

Physical description

This is a silver cup with a long thin stem attached to a silver and bakelite base. The cup has two handles. There is an inscription on one side of the base. The silver is in good condition with only slight tarnishing.

Inscriptions & markings

‘W.C.A. Premiers B Grade 1933-4 Won by C.M.I.’