Australian History

[DrDuck]

The star is an element of the Coat of Arms, but not the inspiration for it.

I'm looking for a medal that had a Coat of Arms very similar to that later adopted for the Australian one.

 

[loamer]

Hmmm - I think the design was based on the original Bowman Flag (commissioned in Aust after the Battle of Trafalgar by the family).

But - the first coat of arms - I guess the Order of the Garter?

 

[DrDuck]

Loamer, not as old as the Bowman flag - it had the rose shamrock and thistle in the middle of the shield. In this version, the shield has the symbols of the various states, like the Australian Coat of arms. And remember, we are looking for a medal.

Mando's previous question is related!

 

[the duck]

advance australia

 

[DrDuck]

nope, Duck, but a good try, the Advance Australia medal dates from 1881, and the one I have in mind is somewhat earlier.

 

[Ramjet]

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom?

 

[DrDuck]

No, RJ, remember, we are looking for a specific medal that has an early version of the coat of arms on it, and remember that the answer is related pretty closely to the subject of Mando's previous question.

Another clue, the medal dates from the early 1950's.

Actually, I'm surprised how poorly documented the origins of our coat of arms is.

 

[Ramjet]

CESSATION OF TRANSPORTATION MEDAL

https://www.noble.com.au/auctions/lot?id=305139

 

[DrDuck]

Well done, RJ. That's the one!

"The Cessation of Transportation medal was struck to commemorate the end of transportation and the jubilee of the colony's establishment.
Designed and produced in England, the medals arrived in Tasmania in August 1855. Nine thousand white metal medals, such as the one here, were distributed - many to children who had enjoyed a piece of 'jubilee cake' two years earlier.
One hundred bronze medals were awarded for service 'rendered in the anti-transportation cause'.
The design on the medal's reverse formed the basis for the Australian coat of arms adopted at Federation, and is one of the earliest examples of such."

Good example of one at the link.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2013/01/31/3680442.htm

Also, there is interesting information at your link. Seeing as only 100 bronze ones were struck, $2,000 seems a fair price.

Note that the positions of kangaroo and emu are reversed on these early medals, compared with the official coat of arms.

 

[Ramjet]

Great question Doc.

Who am I.
A sickly lad, I was in and out of the Navy, married an older lady for her money.
Harpooned whales, Farmed, ran a press gang. Among other things.

 

[DrDuck]

This bloke fits a few of your clues, but I'm pretty sure it is not the right one...

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rumker-christian-carl-ludwig-2615

 

[Ramjet]

Our guy born in Britain.

 

[loamer]

MrArthur?

 

[Ramjet]

Non

 

[loamer]

Non?? Don't tell me we have switched back to the Swiss (albeit French speaking)!!! By the way boys - I am still not happy about the chiko roll, dim sim, flake, lamingtons fiasco.

Bligh?

 

[headbut]

Whats happenen guys , 24 hours & no posts ! . I think we are running out of questions, I know I have

 

[headbut]

Whilst away , where does the saying , "Mad as a hatter" come from ?

 

[DrDuck]

Isn't it something to do with hatters getting mercury poisoning from the treatment of furs used to make hats?

Maybe RJ is cooking up a storm or out for dinner tonight. I've got nothing in regard to his most recent question - it is well designed to resist easy google searches.

 

[headbut]

Yes , word substitution . just gotta work out which words LOL

Correct DrDuck

Mad as a hatter" is a colloquial phrase used in conversation to refer to a crazy person. In 18th and 19th century England mercury was used in the production of felt, which was used in the manufacturing of hats common of the time. People who worked in these hat factories were exposed daily to trace amounts of the metal, which accumulated within their bodies over time, causing some workers to develop dementia caused by mercury poisoning (called mad hatter syndrome). Thus, the phrase became popular as a way to refer to someone who was perceived as insane

Lets add questions in relation to where sayings come from etc . what do you think ?

 

[the duck]

As long as it stays within the theme of aussie history Ive still got plenty of questions but you blokes have had some great ones that ive struggled with