Probably Angus & Coote, Royal Arcade, George Steet, Sydney as a prize given by the Australian-Made Preference League. At least one of the uses of the medallion was as a prize for the best essay written about the Exhibition Train and its message. The souvenir booklet mentions, "Upwards of 100,000 children received the League's message, and the interest they displayed in the Train itself, in the address of the lecturer, and in the essay competition run by the League, leaves no possible doubt as to the impression made on 'Young Australia' by the 'Great White" Train (p 121)." "School children passed through the Train, and were keen to compete for the prizes given for the best essay [a choice of book or medal] (p 118) . . . and in each town prizes are offered for the best essay on the Exhibition (p 51)."

Angus & Coote, Royal Arcade, George Street, Sydney

1926

15 year old John McInerney was given a choice of either a book or engraved silver medallion for his prize. This is the medal he chose, and which was passed on through the family.
John McInerney was born 6 March 1911 and later became a postal assistant. He died at Katoomba, 10 March 1959. He married Esmerelda Ruth Frazer at Grenfell, NSW on 27 June 1936 and they had three children, Jill (born 16.8.1937), John (1.1.1940 - 24.3.1996), and June (born 13 May 1948). The medallion was passed on to son John, and then to the donor, June Hooper (nee McInerney).

Medallion (1), 'Australian Made Preference League', awarded to schoolboy John McInerney for essay about visit of the 'Great White Exhibition Train' to Wallendbeen NSW, silver/enamel, Angus & Coote, Sydney, 1926.

Circular silver medallion with suspenion loop on foliate scroll.

Obverse: Central depiction of steam locomotive pulling closed wagons on which is written the words disapperaing with persepctive, 'BUY AUSTRALIAN' in silver within white enamel over a map of Australia on a blue enamel background, concentric circles surround the whole in white and red with the words; 'AUSTRALIAN - MADE PREFERENCE LEAGUE / EXHIBITION TRAIN'.

Reverse: Stamped dedication into back; 'Awarded to / John McInerney / Public School / Wallendbeen. / Best Essay / on the Visit of the / "Great White" Train. / 1926.' At bottom is maker's mark, 'ANGUS & COOTE Ld / STG.SILVER'.

Made: 1926

ANGUS & COOTE Ld / STG.SILVER

99/7/1

1926

36 mm

25 mm