Historical information
Dr Ian Stephen MacLeod Murphy (1905-1981) studied at Geelong College (1919-1922) and then Melbourne University (1929-1937). He 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 mug was awarded to Dr Murphy when he was studying at Melbourne University and living at Ormond College. Whilst at the College, he was the cox of the winning team of the 1929 Intercollegiate Boat Race.
Significance
This trophy mug belonged to Emerald's first and much-loved GP and is indicative of his love of rowing.
Physical description
Two-handled pewter mug with inscription on the body. The base is glass and transparent.
Inscriptions & markings
On front of mug: 'MERVYN BOURNES HIGGINS TROPHY / MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY / INTERCOLLEGIATE BOAT RACE / 1929 / WON BY ORMOND COLLEGE'
Underneath that inscription are a list of the rowers. Underneath that list is: ' Cox I.S.M. Murphy'
