Browne Medals conferred by the Charters Towers School of Mines
Production date
1920
Country
Australia
State/Province
Queensland
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Object detail
Description
Obv: Shield and scroll engraved "REGINALD W. MUNGOMERY MINING 1920" surrounded by "BROWNE MEMORIAL MEDAL". Rev: QLD. coat of arms, surrounded by "CHARTERS TOWERS SCHOOL OF MINES. QUEENSLAND" In brown case.
Classification
NUMISMATICS (MEDALS AND OTHER) Civil Medals
Maker
Production date
1920
Production place
Measurements
51mm
Media/Materials description
oxidised copper
History and use
The Browne Memorial Medal is thought to have been named after William Henry "Billy" Browne who was born at Pimlico, London, in 1846. When eleven years old he went to sea, serving with both the Royal and Merchant Navies for about nine years spending some of that time on the China Station. In 1866 he was attracted to the Araluen goldfields of New South Wales, subsequently taking part in the Grenfell, Gulging and Hill End rushes. After a mining stint in Tasmania he came to Queensland, working at Gympie, Charters Towers, the Palmer, Herberton and Croydon, remaining at the latter for seven years.
Browne was later elected President of the Amalgamated Miners' Union, and was returned as the Labor member for Croydon in the 1893, 1896, 1899 and 1902 state elections.
He was appointed Secretary for Mines and Secretary for Public Instruction in the short-lived Dawson Labor Ministry in December 1899, assuming the Labor (opposition) leadership the following year. When the Morgan Government took office in 1903 he became Deputy Premier and Secretary for Mines. He died in office in April the following year.
The Memorial Medal bearing his name is thought to have been awarded anually by the Charters Towers School of Mines for scholastic achievement. The earliest newspaper reference to the award dates from 1911 (the School having opened in 1899), the last in 1916.
This particular medal was presented to Mr Mungomery, who worked as an assayer in Mt. Isa, then subsequently in agriculture research (as an entomologist). This is thought to be one of the last Medals awarded since the School of Mines began winding up in 1921, finalling closing its doors in 1925.
Browne was later elected President of the Amalgamated Miners' Union, and was returned as the Labor member for Croydon in the 1893, 1896, 1899 and 1902 state elections.
He was appointed Secretary for Mines and Secretary for Public Instruction in the short-lived Dawson Labor Ministry in December 1899, assuming the Labor (opposition) leadership the following year. When the Morgan Government took office in 1903 he became Deputy Premier and Secretary for Mines. He died in office in April the following year.
The Memorial Medal bearing his name is thought to have been awarded anually by the Charters Towers School of Mines for scholastic achievement. The earliest newspaper reference to the award dates from 1911 (the School having opened in 1899), the last in 1916.
This particular medal was presented to Mr Mungomery, who worked as an assayer in Mt. Isa, then subsequently in agriculture research (as an entomologist). This is thought to be one of the last Medals awarded since the School of Mines began winding up in 1921, finalling closing its doors in 1925.
Associated person
Registration number
N5723
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