on 5/1/01 8:13 PM, Bill & Terri van Lamoen at bvl@multiline.com.au wrote: > Hi All > > I need help to identify a silver medal from 1893. It is multi point star > shaped with a victory wreath on one side. The other side has the inscription > VJFRFA Premiers, Cumberland, 1893, Presented to J Allen. > > The medal is larger than a 50cent coin and was originally fitted with a brooch > pin. > > John was born in New Zealand, returned to Victoria when his father died (1883) > and married in Melbourne in June 1896. John Allen would have been aged 20 in > 1893. > > Does anyone know what VJFRA might stand for OR has anyone seen a similar > medal? > > Can anyone recommend a business or "medal expert" in Sydney that may be able > to help me solve this puzzle. We are visiting Sydney next month so I could > bring it over for identification. > > All suggestions appreciated. > Much as I'd prefer VJRFA which might suggest Victorian Junior Rugby Football Association <G> one might have to guess at Victorian Junior Foot Racing Association which suggests a forerunner of Athletics Victoria (it claims to have a 100+ year history). The only Cumberland I can find in Victoria other than natural features (which are in the same area anyway) is a Cumberland Station (forestry perhaps?) in the Otway Ranges somewhere between Lorne and Colac (though close to the coast). The following is from the AUSLIG gazetteer site: Name State: Code: Feature: Lat(DD MM) Lon(DD MM) CUMBERLAND STATION VIC SITE Building -38 34.9 143 49.7 Premiership certainly suggests team sports but athletics can be run in that way. Now, someone out there can blow me to bits!:) -- Michael Saclier Historical & Genealogical Research Services Phone: +61 2 6281 4117 Fax: +61 2 6281 4118 E-mail: saclierm@spirit.com.au Mail: PO Box 431, Curtin ACT 2605