Australian Sporting Trophies

Trophies, like medals, are awarded in recognition of exceptional feats, record-breaking efforts and sustained sporting excellence over years. Many trophies, like the one shown here, are traditional in shape and theme.

However, some unique trophies incorporate unusual and bizarre characteristics.

Trophies can be simple and elegant, such as this one awarded to Australian runner John Landy for running one mile in less than four minutes in Finland in 1954.

It is engraved with the Finnish word, kunniapalkinto, which means "honorary award".

Trophies sometime feature allusions to antiquity or figures from myth and legend. This trophy includes a three-dimensional figure of Diana the Hunter with a hound.

The trophy was presented to runner Basil Parkinson by the Melbourne Harriers, for his win in the 1-mile open race in 1890.

This miniature version of the America's Cup trophy was presented to the Royal Perth Yacht Club following Australia II winning the cup challenge in 1983.

The race was the first time the previously invincible New York Yacht Club had been beaten and the win was celebrated in Australia.

Some sports broadcasters award trophies referencing the type of media organisation giving the prize. This trophy, a replica television camera, was presented to Ron Clarke when he was jointly-named the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year in 1965, with South African golfer Gary Player.

In 1965 Clarke was also awarded the Greek Sportswriters Sportsman of the Year Award. This elaborate metal trophy is a replica Greek amphora, featuring figures of horse-drawn chariots, rams and warriors fighting.

This trophy was presented to cyclist Keith Thurgood for winning the 1938 Anzac Day Sports RSA 5 Mile Open Championship. Not merely a purely decorative piece, this trophy is also a functioning electric coffee percolator.

This egg warmer trophy was given to rugby league player Albert Broomham by Broomham Brothers Tannery to celebrate his selection for the Australasian tour of England in 1911/12.

It includes a removable spirit stove and snuffer and has a coddler insert with room for four eggs.

Ron Clarke received the Academie des Sports Prix du President in 1966. The trophy is an ornate frosted glass clock, with the numbers represented by sporting figures and motifs in gold and enamel.

Recognising a person's sporting achievement by awarding them an ashtray would be bizarre today. Yet it was not uncommon in the days when cigarette smoking was a more socially acceptable habit. This ashtray trophy was given to Essendon footballer, Doug Bigelow, after the club's 1951 finals campaign.

Another smoking-related trophy is this humidor for storing cigars crafted in the shape of a football won by Carlton footballer, John Baker.

The Trophy for Best All Round Player of Football Season 1889 has space inside for 24 cigars and a central dish that could serve as an ashtray.

Some trophies are made from unusual materials.

This cow horn mounted on a silver-plated stand was awarded to C. McDonnell by the Albert Park Rowing Club in 1889. The lid on top of the cow horn opens suggesting it was intended for use as a drinking vessel.

This Australian football trophy, won by Ron Todd for the Australian Goal Kicking Record in the 1945 season, features a football mounted on a wooden stand. Blue and gold ribbons are tied through the laces, the colours of Todd's team, the Williamstown Football Club.

The uneven bars feature in the Northlands International Gymnastics trophy won by Australia against South Island Christchurch in 1982.

Some trophies are intended to be handed over to a new winner over the years. The Commonwealth Bank Golden Boot Perpetual Trophy was awarded to Australian footballers, and was established in recognition of Bob Pratt, who played for the South Melbourne Football Club in the 1930s.

Trophies are awarded to recognise excellence in sport. The Helms World Trophy was an annual award which recognised the best athlete in each continent. Australian runner, Shirley Strickland, was recognised with the award in 1955.

This plaque was given to Shirley Strickland by the Lord Mayor of Perth at a welcome home reception after the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. Strickland won gold in the 80m hurdles in world record time at the Games, and took bronze in the 100m dash.

Awarding sashes in recognition of sporting achievement has a long history. This sash was awarded to C.H. Hearn for winning the Stawell Easter Gift in 1929. The Stawell Gift is Australia's oldest and richest short-distance foot race.

Cyclist Bob Spears received this sash when he won the Paris Grand Prix in 1920. He was the first Australian cyclist to win the prestigious event. In the same year he won a gold medal in the sprint at the World Track Championships in Antwerp.