Art gallery director Karina Devine show off Jacki Howe's gold fob watch, shearing gold medals won in 1982 and gold sheild for Services Rendered to the Labor Government.

Warwick Daily News

JACKIE Howe's medals have come home to the Rose City aboard a specialised security plane as part of Q150 celebrations.

Famous for his 1892 unbroken record of shearing 321 sheep in one day using hand shears, the Australian icon's gold medals, shield and fob watch are on display at Warwick Art Gallery until July 6.

Warwick Art Gallery director Karina Devine said regional Australia was lucky to have the items on display at the Warm my Heart exhibition.

“The National Gallery, in Canberra, normally houses the medals on behalf of a private owner,” she said.

“When the medals, shield and fob watch were sold by the Howe family at auction last year, there was great speculation on which community would put up money and bid for the objects.

“Right at the end, a private collector bought them.

“So someone out there felt strongly enough to bring these items back to Warwick and have them displayed here.”

The collection, worth $305,000, was flown from Canberra in a specialised security plane.

“The National Gallery came to Warwick and checked our gallery's temperature, lighting, security; everything.”

Jackie Howe was born at Canning Downs station and wore the medals and fob watch when he wore a suit.

Southern Downs Mayor Ron Bellingham said the roots of the Warwick region were deeply entwined with the wool industry.

“This is a positive and significant opportunity for our community to see a genuine and important piece of our history,” he said.

“Ownership of the medals resides in this community and that person recognises the medals are an important part of Australian history and should remain Australian property.”

Jackie Howe

• Warm my Heart exhibition: June 11 to July 6.

• Open: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm; weekend 10am to 1pm.