Trophy, South Warrnambool Athletics, 1880

Historical information

This cup was awarded in 1880 to James Dickson Junior for winning a 600 yards race. It was awarded by the South Norwood Athletic Club and was apparently donated by local ladies. There is a Norwood in South Australia and Scotland and a South Norwood in London. James Dickson (1859-1949) was born in Warrnambool to James and Susan Dickson. His father had established a general store in Warrnambool in 1855 in partnership with John Cramond. This store, known as Cramond and Dickson, was a prominent one in Warrnambool until its closure in 1973. James Dickson Senior managed the London branch store of Cramond and Dickson from 1873 to 1880 and James Dickson Junior lived in London at that time and went to school in Scotland. So the cup could have been won in Scotland but it is most likely to have come from a London athletics meeting. James Dickson Junior became a senior partner in the Cramond and Dickson business in Warrnambool and was a leading citizen as a director of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, a committeeman of the Warrnambool Hospital Board for nearly 50 years and a president of the Warrnambool Racing Club.

Significance

This cup is of considerable significance as it was won by James Dickson Junior in 1880. James Dickson was a prominent businessman and active community worker in Warrnambool for more than 50 years.

Physical description

This is a silver cup in a goblet shape mounted on a circular stand. An inscription is engraved on one side of the cup. The cup is a little dinted and tarnished.

Inscriptions & markings

‘South Norwood Athletic Sports 12th June 1880 600 Yards Ladies Prize Won By J. Dickson Junr.’

Back to top