Historical information

This medal was donated by past student Cyril Brown in 2012. He received the award at Speech Night 1928 for attending school for three years without missing a day. This award was not given lightly. In 1926 Mabel Molland said in her Speech Night report, ‘Lorna Banks would have gained the gold medal for three years in succession had she not become ill one week before the school closed’.

This medal has historic significance as a medal awarded to a past student and kept for 84 years. It is a rare example of the 3 Years Medal, without which we would not know the physical form of the award, mentioned in a number of Speech Night reports. The Westbourne Grammar Heritage Collection also contains an oral history interview with Mr. Brown which adds to the comparative significance of this item.

Physical description

Small gold medal featuring a shield inside a circle with a small ring at the top which attaches to the ring bail. The front of the shield has decorative engraving of letters 'WGS'. The reverse has engraved words, '3 Years/1928/C. Brown'. There are three hallmarks stamped below the engraved words on the reverse.