AceHistoryDesk – In 1924, a sheep farmer from the north-west of New South Wales packed his bags and boxing gloves and boarded a ship to compete at the Paris Olympic Games. 

Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published: Feb.11: 2024: Residents of Inverell admire the collection of former Olympian and local farmer Charles Tennant Jardine. ABC New England North West: Brigitte Murphy TELEGRAM Ace Daily News Link https://t.me/+PuI36tlDsM7GpOJe

A century later, ahead of the summer games’ return to the City of Light, the personal items, memorabilia, and official Olympic items belonging to Australian boxer Charles Tennant Jardine have formed an exhibition in his home town of Inverell.

The items, including a set of Paris Opera glasses, are on display at the local library and tell a tale of what would have been an experience far removed from the family farm.

Jardine won the New South Wales amateur heavyweight championship in 1922 before being selected to represent the country in 1923, heading off to Paris with his fellow competitors by sea.

“The journey took five weeks aboard the SS Ormond,” said granddaughter Ann-Maree Dyer.

“It was probably pretty exciting for a whole bunch of largely single blokes.

“I think there was a lot of fine dining, a lot of dancing and just a little bit of boxing … not a great deal of training.”

Despite his many victories at home in Australia, Jardine faced a tough battle at the Paris games.

Competing in the heavyweight class, he was knocked out of the competition in the first round. 

He didn’t stand a chance,” Ms Dyer said.

“His very first round he was up against [Norwegian] Otto von Porat, who ultimately won the gold medal.”

Ms Dyer smiles fondly thinking about her grandfather and the impressive personal archive she and her family have been keeping safe for a century.

“The collection itself is quite fragile. It’s starting to show the effects of age,” she said.

The family has donated the collection, which will also be digitised and made available online.

“It needs to go on the next part of its journey. It needs to go to somewhere where it will have the professional conservation and preservation that it needs,” Ms Dyer said.

She said it was important to her family that the collection remained in the Inverell region.

“The Jardines were synonymous with this area at the turn of the century, and it’s really lovely to bring it back home to where it needs to be,” Ms Dyer said.Jardine travelled to Paris via ship with the entire Australian Olympic team.(ABC New England North West: Brigitte Murphy)none

A ‘born boxer’

Ms Dyer said although her grandfather managed the family property, he dedicated much of his time to his sporting life, competing in local and national boxing championships.

During his early career, Jardine competed under the name S Baker due to the stigma surrounding boxing.

Eventually he went back to Charles Jardine and made a name for himself.

“During a visit to Sydney, Charles had a try-out at RL Snowy Baker’s Gymnasium, and at the end of the fight the promoter said, ‘Charlie you’re a born boxer and you must take up the game’,” Ms Dyer said.

Keeping an Olympic legacy alive

Inverell Shire Public Library services manager Sonya Lange said housing the collection locally was important for the community.

“It’s really important for us to capture the rich history of the communities we live in,” she said.

“People often think if you’re in a rural area in a small country town, you don’t necessarily get opportunities, and that’s not true.Much of the Jardine family made their way to Inverell to celebrate the anniversary.(ABC New England North West: Brigitte Murphy)none

“[This collection] demonstrates to locals they really can go absolutely as far as they want to go and have the opportunity to make whatever future they want.

“These materials are irreplaceable and unique. I mean, how many 1924 Olympic blazers are there?”One of the key items in the collection is Jardine’s 1924 Olympic team blazer.(ABC New England North West: Brigitte Murphy)none

With the Olympics returning to Paris this year and the 100-year anniversary of Jardine’s participation, Ms Dyer thought there was no better time to share her grandfather’s story with the world.

She said her grandfather was a humble man and it was heartwarming for his Olympic journey to be shared and celebrated.

“It’s the next generation of the family that have really embraced his story,” Ms Dyer said.

“He just went back to the farm and did work on the sheep property, went about his business and died at a young age. There wasn’t a great deal of acknowledgement.

“It’s pretty exciting. I don’t think I’ll ever make it to the Olympics, so I’m living vicariously through my grandfather.” 

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