Local News:Saturday 10 May 2008 - 07:06:33
BREAKING NEWS
Major artefact fails to attract a bid.
The Society was recently unable to bid at the auction of Nash's medal (see article below), as it had not got the reserve price of $ 15,000 + buyers premium of 16.5 % in its coffers. So, for the second time in 10 years, this medal has failed to sell at auction at these prices. Since the auction date the Society has pursued purchase via private treaty. We have not yet had a response.
Front of Medal.
News item - Heath Nash's medal to be sold.
An auction on May 16th 2008 of Australian banknotes, coins and medals includes an item of major interest to the John McDouall Stuart Society Inc. The Society deems the item to be a significant artefact, and is calling for pledges of money so that the society can bid for it. If purchased, the artefact would be held in the Society's Stuart Collection.
Please contact the President if you are able to pledge any amount. You may note that it is expected to be sold for over $ 15,000; so we need serious pledges made very promptly.
The front and rear covers of the auction catalogue have photographic details of this artefact. It is a gold medal granted to Heath Nash, one of Stuart's Companions on the final, successful expedition of 1861-62. The medal was organised by public subscription, and presented formally by the Governor 50 years after the expedition. All the remaining survivors received a similar, individualised medal.
Reverse of medal.
Auction catalogue information:
1862-1912 Rare Explorer's Gold Medal presented to Heath Nash a member of the South Australian Great Northern Exploring Expedition of 1861-1862 led by John McDouall Stuart, Australia's most accomplished and famous inland explorer.
Obv: effigy of John McDouall Stuart. JOHN MCDOUALL STUART HOISTED HIS FLAG HAVING CROSSED AUSTRALIA 25 JULY 1862.
Rev: PRESENTED TO HEATH NASH A MEMBER OF THE EXPEDITION 25 JULY 1912.
The medal was presented by the Governor of South Australia in 1912 to survivors of the expedition at a banquet held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this great inland exploration feat. McDouall Stuart officially set out on the 25th October from ''Montefiore House '', the residence of James Chambers in North Adelaide, on his sixth expedition.
This was his third and ultimately successful attempt to cross Australia. The expedition completed the first European crossing of Australia, from Adelaide to Van Diemen Gulf, passing through the centre of the continent and returning via the same route without loss of life. The expedition departed from Chambers Creek on January 8th, 1862 under the command of John McDouall Stuart.
The other members were William Darton Kekwick- 2nd officer, Francis William Thring 3rd officer, William Patrick Auld, Stephen King, John W Billiatt, James Frew, Heath Nash, John McGorrery and Frederick George Waterhouse the naturalist. Three months later, they reached the site of Stuart's former camp at Newcastle Waters. He rested the horses for a week before facing the battle to cross Sturt's Plains, which had defeated him on his previous occasion. On the 25th July 1862 exactly nine months since leaving Adelaide, the British flag was raised on the Northern shore of Chambers Bay, east of present day Darwin. The party faced a return journey of 3400 kilometres, a journey that rates as one of the great feats of survival in Australian European survival.
Heath Nash was the son of Dr. James Nash and was born in Adelaide in 1838. Nash acted as cook and was known as "The Doctor" to his companions.
One of only 4 perhaps 5 ever presented and to the best of our knowledge the only medal in private hands. The only other known example is in the Art Gallery of South Australia collection. Extremely rare thus and a most historically important and desirable medal. Struck in 15ct. gold, 31mm dia., Small contemporary repair in field on obv otherwise EF, as presented, in box of issue. Carlisle 1912/1. (P) .....$15000 - $30000
OTHER NEWS
Funding to restore gravesites of Australian Exploration Pioneers has been received:
The Australian Government will provide over $12,000 in funding through the Commemoration of Historic Events and Famous Persons (CHEFP) programme to restore the gravesites of four members of John McDouall Stuart’s 1862 expedition party.The restoration of the gravesites at the West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide, will honour their contribution to Australia’s exploration history.
Auld, Frew, McGorrery and Thring, were members of John McDouall Stuart’s final and successful exploration party that crossed the Australian Continent from Adelaide to the north coast through the centre of Australia. While members of Stuart’s party are less known than Stuart himself, they are nevertheless important, playing an integral role in the exploration of our great nation.
Stuart’s expedition from Adelaide to the north coast of Australia paved the way for the Overland Telegraph and the rail line to Alice Springs, playing a crucial role in Australia’s early transit and communication development.
Conservation and restoration began in late March 2008, and it is anticipated that the work will be completed by year end.
Major artefact fails to attract a bid.
The Society was recently unable to bid at the auction of Nash's medal (see article below), as it had not got the reserve price of $ 15,000 + buyers premium of 16.5 % in its coffers. So, for the second time in 10 years, this medal has failed to sell at auction at these prices. Since the auction date the Society has pursued purchase via private treaty. We have not yet had a response.
Front of Medal.
An auction on May 16th 2008 of Australian banknotes, coins and medals includes an item of major interest to the John McDouall Stuart Society Inc. The Society deems the item to be a significant artefact, and is calling for pledges of money so that the society can bid for it. If purchased, the artefact would be held in the Society's Stuart Collection.
Please contact the President if you are able to pledge any amount. You may note that it is expected to be sold for over $ 15,000; so we need serious pledges made very promptly.
The front and rear covers of the auction catalogue have photographic details of this artefact. It is a gold medal granted to Heath Nash, one of Stuart's Companions on the final, successful expedition of 1861-62. The medal was organised by public subscription, and presented formally by the Governor 50 years after the expedition. All the remaining survivors received a similar, individualised medal.
Reverse of medal.
Auction catalogue information:
1862-1912 Rare Explorer's Gold Medal presented to Heath Nash a member of the South Australian Great Northern Exploring Expedition of 1861-1862 led by John McDouall Stuart, Australia's most accomplished and famous inland explorer.
Obv: effigy of John McDouall Stuart. JOHN MCDOUALL STUART HOISTED HIS FLAG HAVING CROSSED AUSTRALIA 25 JULY 1862.
Rev: PRESENTED TO HEATH NASH A MEMBER OF THE EXPEDITION 25 JULY 1912.
The medal was presented by the Governor of South Australia in 1912 to survivors of the expedition at a banquet held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this great inland exploration feat. McDouall Stuart officially set out on the 25th October from ''Montefiore House '', the residence of James Chambers in North Adelaide, on his sixth expedition.
This was his third and ultimately successful attempt to cross Australia. The expedition completed the first European crossing of Australia, from Adelaide to Van Diemen Gulf, passing through the centre of the continent and returning via the same route without loss of life. The expedition departed from Chambers Creek on January 8th, 1862 under the command of John McDouall Stuart.
The other members were William Darton Kekwick- 2nd officer, Francis William Thring 3rd officer, William Patrick Auld, Stephen King, John W Billiatt, James Frew, Heath Nash, John McGorrery and Frederick George Waterhouse the naturalist. Three months later, they reached the site of Stuart's former camp at Newcastle Waters. He rested the horses for a week before facing the battle to cross Sturt's Plains, which had defeated him on his previous occasion. On the 25th July 1862 exactly nine months since leaving Adelaide, the British flag was raised on the Northern shore of Chambers Bay, east of present day Darwin. The party faced a return journey of 3400 kilometres, a journey that rates as one of the great feats of survival in Australian European survival.
Heath Nash was the son of Dr. James Nash and was born in Adelaide in 1838. Nash acted as cook and was known as "The Doctor" to his companions.
One of only 4 perhaps 5 ever presented and to the best of our knowledge the only medal in private hands. The only other known example is in the Art Gallery of South Australia collection. Extremely rare thus and a most historically important and desirable medal. Struck in 15ct. gold, 31mm dia., Small contemporary repair in field on obv otherwise EF, as presented, in box of issue. Carlisle 1912/1. (P) .....$15000 - $30000
Funding to restore gravesites of Australian Exploration Pioneers has been received:
The Australian Government will provide over $12,000 in funding through the Commemoration of Historic Events and Famous Persons (CHEFP) programme to restore the gravesites of four members of John McDouall Stuart’s 1862 expedition party.The restoration of the gravesites at the West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide, will honour their contribution to Australia’s exploration history.
Auld, Frew, McGorrery and Thring, were members of John McDouall Stuart’s final and successful exploration party that crossed the Australian Continent from Adelaide to the north coast through the centre of Australia. While members of Stuart’s party are less known than Stuart himself, they are nevertheless important, playing an integral role in the exploration of our great nation.
Stuart’s expedition from Adelaide to the north coast of Australia paved the way for the Overland Telegraph and the rail line to Alice Springs, playing a crucial role in Australia’s early transit and communication development.
Conservation and restoration began in late March 2008, and it is anticipated that the work will be completed by year end.
McGorrery's grave - in need of conservation.
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The Annual Remembrance Ceremony
Saturday 28 July 2007 - 20:53:42
Annual Remembrance Ceremony
The Annual Remembrance Ceremony will be held at Stuart's statue, Victoria Square / Tarndanyangga, Adelaide in early April, 2009
John McDouall Stuart Memorial Address
The John McDouall Stuart Memorial Address follows. This is the highlight of the Society's year. Invited speakers present a fascinating range topics covering exploration, family, careers, history and geography. It's here that history comes alive.
Annual General Meeting
A short Annual General Meeting at the Pilgrim Uniting Church Hall, Flinders Street, Adelaide, (adjacent to the Statue) is also held.
All members of the public are warmly welcomed.
The Annual Remembrance Ceremony will be held at Stuart's statue, Victoria Square / Tarndanyangga, Adelaide in early April, 2009
Remembrance Ceremony
John McDouall Stuart Memorial Address
The John McDouall Stuart Memorial Address follows. This is the highlight of the Society's year. Invited speakers present a fascinating range topics covering exploration, family, careers, history and geography. It's here that history comes alive.
Annual General Meeting
A short Annual General Meeting at the Pilgrim Uniting Church Hall, Flinders Street, Adelaide, (adjacent to the Statue) is also held.
All members of the public are warmly welcomed.
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