BOWRAL history buff Evelyn Mahony believes she has tracked down a long-sought relic of Australia’s convict history - only to discover that it could soon be lost to the general public again.

Mrs Mahony has been trying for many years to discover what happened to the Botany Bay Medallion.

The medallion is thought to have been made by a First Fleet convict, Thomas Barrett, on board the convict ship Charlotte as it sat at anchor in Botany Bay in January 1788.

On the medallion is inscribed a description of the voyage of Charlotte’s voyage from England to Botany, complete with arrival and departure dates, latitude and longitude of ports visits on the route.

Mrs Mahony has been searching for the Botany Bay Medallion since she read of it in Mollie Gillen’s history Founder of Australia.

Earlier this year, she advertised in the Southern Highland News and Sydney Morning Herald asking “Where is the Botany Bay Medallion?”

The ads brought no response, but Mrs Mahony believes she has found an item on the ABC’s 7.30 Report that has answered her question.

Mrs Mahony’s attention was caught by mention of the Charlotte Medal in a report on the auction of a 700-piece collection of historical coins and medals in Melbourne.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, July 18