Australian Dress Register

Myles Downes was a son of John and Honora Downes who established a property 'Min Ora' at Rawdon Island, 20 kilometres west of Port Macquarie in 1863. Myles Downes [1881-1969] was a well-known and respected local dairy farmer at the time of this death. He had also been the lcoal post master at one time, a role he acquired from his parents and handed on to his sister Minnie, who also resided at 'Min Ora'.

Myles Downes was also patron of the Rawdon Island Football Club for the years the club was affiliated with the Hastings District Rugby League, believed to be 1928-1932.

Rawdon Island, named after Francis Rawdon Hastings, first Marquis of Hastings [1754-1826] is actually made up of two islands - Little Rawdon Island and the main island. Now a rich and picturesque farming area, Rawdon Island was once a thriving community comprising 27 dairy farms, 2 churches, a school, community stores, post office and football team. All that remains of the community infrastructure is the old school which now operates as a Heritage Function House.

In 1931, the Rawdon Island Football Club team were the minor premiers of the Hasting District second grade competition playing Port Macquarie B team n the grand-final. Rawdon Island defeated the Port Macquarie team 5 to nil making them the premiers of the second grade competition. The Rawdon Island team celebrated their win with a Victory Ball in the Rawdon Island School of Art on Thursday 1 October, 1931.

The team win was notable because the other teams in the competition had the benefit of a coach to train them whilst the island team was scattered and not in a position to get together for practice or to engage a coach.

Organised Rugby Union was first played in the Hastings area in 1891 and continued until 1920 when the code was changed over to Rugby League. The first Rugby League competition in Australia was held in 1908.

Between the 1928 and 1932 seasons three grades made up the Hastings District Rugby League competition. Teams from Hamilton, Byabarra, Long Flat, Telegraph Point and Rawdon Island competed against the stronger Wauchope, Beechwood and Port Macquarie Clubs.

In 1933 the League carried a motion that ended the lower grade competitions, leaving six teams to contest the first grade, two from Wauchope, two from Port Macquarie and one each from Beechwood and Byabarra.

At that point the Rawdon Island football club was disbanded.

Wikipedia defines a blazer as a type of single breasted jacket resembling a suit coat but cut more casually. Where the blazer is part of the dress of a school, college or sports club it is common for a badge or emblem to be sewn or embroidered to the chest pocket.

Blazers were also once commonly worn playing or attending traditional 'gentlemen' sports, but remain in only occasional use now by tennis and cricket players worn for example by the team captain during the coin toss at the beginning of international cricket matches. Also by sporting teams as part of a formal uniform such as those worn by Olympians in the opening ceremony.

Hastings Shire Gazette and Hastings Gazette.

The blazer was last exhibited in 2008 for 'Recreation' at the Port Macquarie Historical Museum.

Front chest pocket is machine embroidered in yellow thread with 'Patron RIFC Premers 1931'

Red and black striped woollen flannel used for the entire jacket.

Black polished cotton has been used to line the sleeves.

Yellow thread machine embroidery on chest pocket.

The blazer is entirely machine sewn. The back neck facing has been finished with large pinking shears.

Made by Edgar Doctor & Co. 106 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW.

Two plastic buttons are used to fasten the front opening.

The jacket is unlined except for the sleeves which are lined with a black polished cotton.

The photograph of William Downes wearing the blazer and a related article was published in the Wauchope Gazette on Thursday September 17, 1981. William Downes died late the following month.

There are insect holes on most parts of the blazer, particularly the sleeves.