Australian Historical Medals

Lot 858    Session 4 (4:30pm Tuesday 31 July)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $220
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $340

RICHMOND RIVER AGRICULTURAL HORTICULTURAL & PASTORAL SOCIETY, struck in silver (37mm) by E.Altmann, Melbourne, inscribed on reverse 'D.Campbell/Champion Prize/for/Draught Mare/"Damsel"/Casino 1882', another struck in bronze (37mm), inscribed on reverse 'D.Campbell/for/Imported Draught Stallion/under 4 Years/"Grandmaster"/1884'. Extremely fine. (2)

See also lots (857,859,860,861) for medals to the same recipient.

Donald Campbell was born in the Highlands of Scotland. He came to Australia in the mid 1800s and settled in the Richmond River area of NSW with his wife and eight children, three boys and five girls.

He was recognised early as a good judge of draught horses and became manager of the renowned Wooroowoolgen Station from 1871-1886. It was stated that during his time at Wooroowoolgen, he raised the pure bred herd of cattle to a high standard by numerous importations from England and sires from the best herds of NSW and Victoria. His eldest son, Alexander Campbell, took over the management of Wooroowoolgen in 1887. Donald then acquired the Roseneath Estate near Casino and entered into the breeding of draught horses.

The greatest improvement in the draught stock at Roseneath, was Campbell's purchase of the Clydesdale stallion "Grandmaster" from Scotland for a 'big figure'. "Grandmaster" was a horse of great power, combined with beautiful symmetry and action. Because of his size and strength it was noted that he wore the largest collar known at the time. "Grandmaster" won many prizes, particularly at the Casino shows and sired a number of future prize winners.

Donald Campbell had a great impact in the Casino area;
- President of the Richmond River Agricultural Horticultural and Pastoral Society,
- Trustee of the Casino Show,
- Great studmaster for Clydesdales.
Donald Campbell truly was a pioneer of the pastoral industry in Australia.

(Courtesy of The Northern Star published in Lismore, NSW).