I have this commemorative medal that has been passed down in my husband's family, but I have no idea what it is commemorating. 4cm wide silver medal. On one side: Around the rim 'COMMEMORATION MEDAL *' 'N.S.WALES 1879' Centre of medal - An engraving of the Garden Palace, Sydney (unnamed). Under the building are the words 'Evan Jones 11 Hunter St Sydney'. On the other side: Around the rim '* TO COMMEMORATE *' 'THE GRAND NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION.' Centre of medal - An engraving of a handshake. Above is the word 'UNITED'. Below is the date 'NOVEMBER 10 1879' I understand that the Sydney International Exhibition opened on 17 Sept 1879 at the Garden Palace. There were commercial and industrial exhibitions from Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Holland, America, Singapore and the Straits Settlements, Japan, India, Fiji and the Australasian colonies. But what was The Grand National Demonstration of 10 Nov 1879? Were these medals for sale to the general public? Why I ask this last question is that we have a scale model of the ancestor John Chadwick's steam engine that has a plaque with his name and 1879 on it. He was an engineer. A larger version of the engine used to be in the Museum of Technology. The 'Evan Jones' is only in small writing and the name means nothing to me. I looked him up to find his emu inkstand at the Powerhouse Museum, and that he later held public office in Sydney. But then I didn't look at all the Evan Jones. Regards .................Rusheen.

Dear Rusheen, Maybe a look at the Sands Directory would indicate his business. Sincerely,Bill >I have this commemorative medal that has been passed down in my husband's > family, but I have no idea what it is commemorating.