Melbourne Bowling Club, Centenery, Badge, K.G. Luke, 1864, 1964
Summary
Kenneth George Luke became the partner of a Carlton-based metal-spinning and silverware business in 1921. Four years later he was the proprietor, employing seven people. Over the years, the business continued to grow and it branched into buttons, badges and medallions. Of the many badges made, this 1964 enamelled example, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Melbourne Bowling Club, is in the city's collection. The Melbourne Bowling Club, founded by John Campbell in 1864, is the oldest bowling club in Australia and it continues to occupy its original home behind Chapel Street, Windsor.
The front of the badge incorporates '100' in a lawn bowl motif in black enamel, with the date of the club's founding and 'MBC' highlighted in blue enamel and the name of the club in red. The reverse of the badge gives the details of the maker, 'K.G. Luke, Melb.'
This text is excerpted from Darren Burgess' essay 'City of Melbourne Numismatic Collection', available in full through the 'Explore' tab above.
