Historical information
1951 Commemorative Plaque
(Centenary of Government in Victoria and Centenary of the Discovery of Gold)
THE obverse side of this Medallion represents the three qualitities of democratic Government which makes the citizen's life worth living. Freedom, Justice and Equality. But the basic quality, through which Equality and Justice can be achieved or which results in Equality and Justice is FREEDOM. So the artist, in agreement with the sub-committee, selected a beautiful horse, gallantly bounding forward, his broken shackles still on his foreleg, carrying a woman representing Justice and a man representing Equality on its back. Without Freedom there is no Justice and Equality, but if there is Freedom, Justice and Equality are its natural results.
The Stake on the reverse side represents strong democratic Government. Supported by it society grows and blossoms freely.
Physical description
Medal: OBVERSE: Depiction of a bucking horse with two nude riders. The first rider is a man wielding what appears to be a torch. The second rider is a blind folded woman wielding a sword. The horse has a broken shackle on the left foreleg.
Information sheet in case.
Case: Black leather, white satin lining and green velvet insert. Top bears gold coat of arm of Government of Victoria.
Inscriptions & markings
Front: Equality and Justice through freedom.
Back: CENTENARY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA 1851-1951 (edge)
Presented to THE TOWN OF PORTLAND 1951 (engraved, centre)
