ProvenanceSouth Australia marked the sesquicentenary (150th anniversary) of European settlement in 1986. Jubilee Wombat, was created as the mascot for the associated activities. A variety of souvenir items were created featuring the Jubilee Wombat image.SignificanceThis spoon was created as a memento for the South Australian sesquicentenary in 1986. Ephemera from the event are often referred to as J150 objects and are sought after by collectors.
Each significant anniversary of European settlement in South Australia since 1836 (major dates being 1886 [50th], 1936 [100th] and 1986 [150th]) has had a particular flavour, spirit and/or atmosphere, reflecting South Australian society at that time. Jubilee 150 (1986) was a particularly well-coordinated and well-funded celebration. It was potentially the last time that an anniversary of European settlement would be 'celebrated', rather than 'marked', in South Australia. Protests about the celebratory nature of the 1988 Australian Bicentenary, and the consequent Reconciliation movement, have meant that future anniversaries are likely to pay greater heed to the impact of European settlement on Indigenous Australians.DescriptionJubilee 150 souvenir spoon in presentation box. Silver-plated teaspoon with ornate, pressed scroll and floral design at top. Pressed into the centre of the top is a badge with official J150 logo on paper mounted behind clear perspex. On the reverse top of spoon is a raised cameo of 19th C woman with decorative scrolls and stripes around cameo. Beneath cameo - the word 'CAMEO' and 'silver-plated' with a raised daisy design underneath. In raised print along shaft of spoon the words 'PERFECTION PLATE MADE IN AUSTRALIA' with a raised palm motif at join of shaft and bowl. Box is of solid plastic. Clear plastic top fits over a red plastic base with the word 'PERFECTION' printed inside a square on the outside base. On inside base are two small plastic protrusions to hold spoon firmly inside box.Date of Creationc1986Date of Usage1986Accession NumberHT 1987.0546
