Item 01: Presentation pieces of John Young, 1885

R 2174
Status: On display. Objects Gallery. Case 2, Shelf 40. Applies to R 2174/Item 1.

item

1885

1341995

1 trowel - 29 x 10 cm. - silver
1 locket - 5 x 3.5 cm. - gold, ruby, opals, diamond chips

John Young (1827-1907), building contractor, he constructed many metropolitan churches and buildings including, the interior of the Bourke Street Synagogue, the Ballarat gaol and powder magazine, St Patrick's Cathedral, St John's College within the University of Sydney, St Mary’s Cathedral, the Department of Lands building and the General Post Office; the old Redfern railway terminus, the Exhibition Building in Prince Alfred Park, and the Garden Palace for the Sydney International Exhibition 1879.

He represented Bourke Ward on the Sydney Municipal Council in 1876-87. Mayor in 1886, and an alderman on the Leichhardt Borough Council from 1879, he was mayor that year and in 1884-85. Returning in 1891 from travels in Europe and Asia, Young led a secession movement resulting in the incorporation of the Annandale Borough Council in 1894; he was foundation mayor until 1896. Young lived at Kentville, Annandale, where he laid down a bowling green and provided facilities for archery, billiards and skittles. He imbued bowls with the spirit of gentlemanly conduct, and initiated regular intercolonial matches with Victoria; the first was played at Kentville in 1880. He was foundation president of the New South Wales Bowling Association in 1880-1907 and led an Australian team to Britain in 1901. In the 1880s he was also president of the Annandale Skittle Club.

Reference:
Australian Dictionary of Biography. http://adb.anu.edu.au (accessed 25 May, 2015)

1. 1 silver trowel, diamond shaped flat blade has fan decoration around rim. The base has an engraved butterfly amongst flowers. The inscription is inside an opened fan. Octofoil haft rises to a mother-of-pearl handle. Silver hallmarks of T.M &Co, Queen Victoria, Birmingham Silver .925, 1885.

Inscribed with: "Presented by the chairman and directors of the Sydney Bathing Company to John Young Esquire, Mayor of Sydney on the occasion of laying the Foundation Stone, December 15th 1886".

2. 1 gold, jewel encrusted locket. Square shaped with a cover encrusted with a ruby, 4 opals and 8 diamond chips. It has a gold loop for hanging and lace edging with scrolls. When opened there is the capacity for portraits or hair, though this locket is empty.

Inscribed with: "Annandale Skittle Club, presented by the members to their President, John Young Esquire, Sydney, Nov 1885".