Historical information

This medal was awarded to the school children of Australia in 1951 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Federation of Australia. The design was chosen after a competition, with the valuable cash prize of two hundred guineas. It was won by John Wolfgang Elischer for his depiction of a man hand-sowing wheat. The wheat has grown to represent the seven States of Australia on the other side of the medal.

Elischer was an Austrian sculptor and an Associate of the Royal Academy who arrived in Australia in 1935. During his first year he was an industrial designer for pottery. Elischer, P. Hurry and John Farmer together held an exhibition of works at the Athenaeum, Melbourne, in June 1937. Elischer later received commissions for sculptures including the King George V Memorial in Bendigo (1938), a bronze fountain for Sir Russell Grimwade in Toorak and a bust of Archbishop Mannix for Newman College, University of Melbourne. Elischer died in 1966.

Significance

This item is significant because it was issued to all Australian school children, including those in Wodonga.

Physical description

A bronze Commemorative medal issued to Australian school children to mark the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Australia. It is a round medal with a loop at the top.

Inscriptions & markings

Front (obverse) Man advancing towards the right sowing seeds by hand. At left 1901, at right 1951. In very small letters near ground right, J.W.E
Back (reverse) At top a star. In centre FIFTY YEARS / COMMONWEALTH / OF AUSTRALIA At bottom seven ears of wheat representing the States and Northern Territory