Australian Historical Medals

Lot 854    Session 4 (4:30pm Tuesday 31 July)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $500

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, New South Wales, Prize Medal, 1878, in silver (41.5mm), by J.S.Wyon, obverse, coat of arms of the university, reverse, laurel wreath, four medals all inscribed to 'T.Rolin' for the following subjects, 'Junior English', Junior Latin', Junior Arithmetic' and 'Junior Histy. & Geogy.' All medals heavily toned with small edge nicks and bumps as well as scuffing on the reverse, otherwise very fine. (4)

Tom Rolin, born at Sydney 12 October 1863, the son of a solicitor, was educated first at Cleveland Street School and then at Sydney Grammar School. He passed the following subjects at the Junior Examinations held at Sydney University in 1878 - History & Geography (S), English (H), French (L), Latin (H), Greek (H), Arithmetic (H), Algebra (H) and Geometry (H) (S 'Satisfied Examiners', H 'High Pass, L 'Low Pass'). In 1883 he obtained his B.A. degree and was also awarded a gold medal for proficiency in classics and mathematics.

Tom Rolin progressed to gain his M.A. in 1885 and was called to the NSW Bar on 17 August 1886. He held positions on university groups including Captain of the Sydney University Boat Crew for 3 years having rowed in the first University Eight that went to Melbourne. In 1892 was Vice President of the Sydney University Sports Union. In 1898 he was appointed a Crown Prosecutor. He was on the committee of the Australasian Federation League and in 1907 was appointed Acting District Court Judge. He was also President of the Sydney Fencing Club, Captain of Killara Golf Club and a Vice President of the University Law Society.

Judge Rolin was appointed King's Counsel in 1912.At the outbreak of WWI he helped form and became Captain of the Sydney Golf Club Rifle Range. In 1917 he was appointed Judge to the Industrial Court and later presided over the District Court and criminal jurisdiction. Judge Rolin died at his home on 9 May 1927 and his funeral service, which was held the next day at Rookwood Crematorium, was attended by a large number of dignitaries. Judge Rolin was the father-in-law of W.L.Owen who was the grandson of the notable Supreme Court judge, Sir William Owen (see lot 848).