Ceremonial trowel, City of Melbourne Abattoirs 1860

Summary

Ceremonial trowel presented to John Cosgrave, Alderman of Gipps Ward by Mess's Charles Brown & Co, builders of the City of Melbourne Abattoirs on the laying of the foundation stone of the building on 3 March, 1860. The trowel, made in London of solid silver and ivory, would have been costly and required considerable forethought given the travel times of the era. Cosgrave is the subject of multiple references in contemporary newspapers (see Trove). His relationship with Melbourne City Council is unusual in that he began as a Councillor/Alderman and then became a salaried employee as treasurer. Cosgrave had a foundational role in the establishment of yachting as a recreational pastime in Port Phillip Bay. Also in the collection is an illuminated testimonial presented to Cosgrave in 1861 for his 11 years’ service to Council.