Award - Rudder, 1931

Historical information

This presentation rudder belonged to Dr Ian Stephen MacLeod Murphy (1905-1981) who studied at Geelong College (1919-1922) and then Melbourne University (1929-1937). Ormond College is a residential college at Melbourne University. According to this award, Dr Murphy was the cox of a successful Ormond College rowing crew in 1931.
Dr Murphy enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in 1939 and served as a navy surgeon for the duration of World War II. He moved to Emerald in 1947 after running a successful medical practice in Hampton, with the intention of retiring and breeding turkeys. But Emerald and the surrounding districts had no doctor, so for the next 34 years, Dr. Murphy provided tireless medical care to the local community. Dr Murphy was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1977 for devotion to the health of the community. He died in 1981 at the age of 76 years and a Memorial Fund was set up in his name to provide support for local students studying Medicine. This rudder is part of a collection of memorabilia of the life of Dr Murphy and was donated by his nephew, Rod Usher.

Significance

This rudder is significant as part of a collection of memorabilia epitomising the life of Emerald's first GP.

Physical description

'Presentation' rudder made of wood with gold lettering.

Inscriptions & markings

'Ormond College / Students Club / 24th April 1931 / Shield / Cox I. S. M. Murphy 9st 0lb'

Other parts of this item

Back to top