Australian Historical Medals

Lot 2865    SESSION 11 (9.30AM THURSDAY 30TH MARCH)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $750
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,000

TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, (1897), presentation medal in gold (14ct; 20.62g; 42mm), obverse, a wreath and inside inscribed, 'Bonus/Intra/Melior/Exi' (the school motto which means 'Enter Good, Exit Better'), reverse, a wreath and inside inscribed, 'Townsville/Grammar School/Presented to/John L. McKelvey/Christmas 1897'. Brooch pin on reverse is missing pin from the fitting, otherwise nearly extremely fine.

Sir John Lawrence McKelvey, was born at Ravenswood, Queensland on 9 February 1881. He was educated at Townsville Grammar School. He graduated at the University of Sydney (M.B. in 1905 and Ch.M in 1911) and was resident medical officer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney in 1905 and acting medical superintendent the following year.

Sir John held many prominent positions including medical superintendent at (Royal) Melbourne Hospital in 1908, honorary assistant surgeon at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1911 and at St Vincent's Hospital in 1913. He was also a consultant at South Sydney Women's Hospital and Canterbury District Memorial Hospital. He was a foundation fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1927, a council member in 1937 and vice-president in 1939. He also served on the NSW post graduate committee in medicine and the advisory council of Prince Henry Hospital and was a fellow of St John's College. John Lawrence McKelvey was knighted on 2 January 1933 for services to surgery.

Away from work, he was a racehorse owner and was elected to the first committee of the Australian Jockey Club in 1938. Sir John McKelvey died at his Potts Point home on 7 July 1939.

Ex John Houstone Collection.