Coat of arms, City of Berwick
Maker
Unknown
Production date
Circa 1980s
See full details
Object Detail
Production date
Circa 1980s
Description
City of Berwick Coat of Arms with Latin motto "RECTE OMNIA DUCE DEO".
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
Unknown
Associated person
Media/Materials description
metal, enamle
Measurements
44.3 x 40.3 x 2.5 cm (overall). 40.5 x 40.3 x 2.5 cm (coat of arms), 3.5 x 24.5 x 2.0 cm (Latin motto)
Signature & date
Inscribed in black maker, on verso, centre, "No 2". Inscribed in black maker, verso of motto, "XX No2".
Photography credit (first image)
Photograph: Viki Petherbridge
System ID
1329
