Historical information

The Medal was won by WJ Mahon, Best Bowling Average, Yackandandah Cricket Association 1923-1924'

It was donated to Yackandandah Cricket Club by Mrs Evelyn Drummond, daughter of William James Mahon. An Allans Flat cricketer, Jim Mahon was a third-generation Allan's Flat/ Osborne's Flat resident. His father, Henry, keenly followed football and cricket. His son, Mervyn, Captained Yackandandah in cricket and served as Club Treasurer.

Jim, like Merv, represented his association at Country Week Cricket. (notes accompanying medal on donation - source Yack Cricket Club)

Significance

The item is of local significance, in the story of cricket in Yackandandah. Cricket has been played in the district since 1860, and the Medal was an important exhibit in a celebration of 150 years of cricket in Yackandandah, 2010.

The medal is a good example of a practice used in the creation of trophies, where a base item is created, and a sport-specific item added. In this case the addition is a representation of a cricketer, with arm aloft, ie a bowler.

Cavell, 1990, observes that Aronson & Co used this to create medals/medalets for a variety of sports, and includes a selection of images of different bases to which representations of different sports are added. Another example is the Woy Woy Champion 1925 awarded to cyclist K. Ross, held by the National Museum of Australia.

The same practice is used extensively now, albeit in plastic and synthetic wood, rather than gold.

Physical description

Gold, wreath shaped fob medallion/medalet. Central circle (attached as a separate item) shows cricketer holding aloft a ball. Back engraved. Attached to silver-coloured, metal link chain with bar and hook fastener. Won by WJ Mahon, Best Bowling Average, Yackandandah Cricket Association, 1923-24 season.

Inscriptions & markings

Bryson's Medal / won by / W.J. Mahon / Best Bowling Avg / Yack Assn / 1923'24. Marks: maker's mark (Aronson & Co), 9, sheaf of wheat; PT APPFOR