Coat of arms, City of Berwick
Maker
Angus & Coote
Production date
Circa 1990
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Object Detail
Production date
Circa 1990
Description
Gilt and enamel coat of arms, with text "CITY OF/ BERWICK/ RECTE OMNIA DUCT DEO". Housed in satin and velvet lined leather presentation box, centre opening with clasp. A smaller gold plastic representation of the coat of arms is included in box.
The arms were officially granted on April 8, 1976.
The chained bear on the shield is the arms of Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, from where Captain Gardiner, the first settler, originated, and named his run 'Berwick'. The bull's head was the insignia of the former Berwick Shire Council. It also celebrates the Ayrshire bull 'Lord Beaconsfield', produced in the Berwick district, which, when crossed with Shorthorn cows, produced the famous Illawarra breed of cattle. The lamb represents primary production, the basis of the farming community which developed into the City of Berwick. The buckle is a symbol of 'success by endeavour', a challenge to the Council of a relatively new city in the 1970's. The black horses, as with so many Australian arms, alludes to the role played in transportation in the early days. The bluestone wall refers to Wilson's Quarry from which the ballast for the Gippsland railway was quarried and which was a pioneer of this industry in the district. The honeyeater is a beautiful bird still found in the upper reaches of Cardinia Creek, the eastern boundary of the city, and is now regarded as Australia's most endangered species of bird. The tree stump is a symbol of renewed life and the beauty of the many trees, both native and exotic, found in the Berwick region.
The arms were officially granted on April 8, 1976.
The chained bear on the shield is the arms of Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, from where Captain Gardiner, the first settler, originated, and named his run 'Berwick'. The bull's head was the insignia of the former Berwick Shire Council. It also celebrates the Ayrshire bull 'Lord Beaconsfield', produced in the Berwick district, which, when crossed with Shorthorn cows, produced the famous Illawarra breed of cattle. The lamb represents primary production, the basis of the farming community which developed into the City of Berwick. The buckle is a symbol of 'success by endeavour', a challenge to the Council of a relatively new city in the 1970's. The black horses, as with so many Australian arms, alludes to the role played in transportation in the early days. The bluestone wall refers to Wilson's Quarry from which the ballast for the Gippsland railway was quarried and which was a pioneer of this industry in the district. The honeyeater is a beautiful bird still found in the upper reaches of Cardinia Creek, the eastern boundary of the city, and is now regarded as Australia's most endangered species of bird. The tree stump is a symbol of renewed life and the beauty of the many trees, both native and exotic, found in the Berwick region.
Artist/Maker and role
Angus & Coote: Manufacturer
Associated person
Media/Materials description
gilt, enamel (coat of arms), plastic (medallion), satin, velvet, leather (box)
Measurements
11.4 x 8.5 x 0.8 cm (coat of arms), 20.5 x 14.5 x 3.3 cm (box closed), 3.0 x 3.0 x 0.3 cm (medallion)
Signature & date
Makers mark on verso of coat of arms, upper centre, "ANGUS & COOTE/ SYDNEY/ 9CT".
Photography credit (first image)
Photograph: Viki Petherbridge
System ID
1260
