TROWEL, PRESENTATION
1899Trowel, with silver plate and wooden handle.
The plate has ornate decorative engravings near handle and engraved lettering.
"Presented to the Mayoress Mrs WG Leeder by the Corporation of Newcastle WA in commemoration of laying the memorial stone of the Council Chambers, April 12th 1899"
The trowel was made by Alfred Ivimey, a Northam jeweller.
The builder was A. Stewart & Co. of York.
Charles Henry Whiteford had designed the Newcastle (later named Toodyay) Council Chambers, and the foundation stone was laid by Hannah Emily Leeder, the wife of the Mayor William George Leeder, on 12 April 1899.
Details
Details
Silver hallmarks on neck
Premier John Forrest opened the Newcastle Council Chambers on 18 October 1899.The Newcastle Municipal Council held its first meeting in the new building on 4 December 1899. The Toodyay Road Board also held their monthly meetings in the hall from 1900, on separate days to the Council, until they merged in 1912. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toodyay_Memorial_Hall
"Our mother, Jean Olive Parker, donated the trowel to the Toodyay Gaol Museum. It was in her Mother's possession when our nan died. Our nan was Olive May Sinclair (nee Leeder), daughter of William George and Hannah (nee Morrell) Leeder of Stirling Tce, Toodyay. Our nan married John Aubrey James Sinclair and lived on Dumbarton farm before moving to Subiaco. I am guessing our mum donated the trowel in the mid 1960s. I do remember the museum had not long been open." Barbara Sewell (nee Parker), 1 July 2021
Copyright and Reference
Copyright and Reference
Photo by Phil Hart
