Historical information

Abraham Harkness was Mayor of the City of Bendigo when St Andrew's Presbyterian Church school hall was erected. The foundation stone was laid on Wednesday the 15th March 1899 to much ceremony including hymns and speeches. Abraham Harkness had arrived in Victoria in 1857 aged 28. He was initially successful in his search for gold and after a return trip to England in 1862 returned to Bendigo were he opened a general store and then a foundry whereby his company manufactured mining machinery.
He stood for council from in 1880 and was elected a further eight times over the next twenty years. Cr Harkness served as Mayor in 1882, 1897 and 1898. His son Andrew became Mayor in 1908-09. Abraham Harkness married Jane Noble in Bendigo in1864 and together they had six sons and five daughters. Abraham died in 1912 and Jane in 1927.

Physical description

Sterling Silver ceremonial trowel with silver collar and bone handle. Front surface is ornately engraved with fern leaf pattern scrolled around central middle section which holds the engraved dedication. Back section is plain.

Inscriptions & markings

Engraved: PRESENTED / TO / A. HARKNESS. ESQ. J.P. / MAYOR OF BENDIGO / ON THE OCCASION OF HIS LAYING / THE / FOUNDATIONAL STONE / of / St Andrew's School Hall / 15th March, 1899.
Hallmark: P.A & S E P (Peter Atkin ?) + (windmill or pump)