Sportsmen's 1000... £500 for the first V.C

Australian First World War recruitment notice issued by the Commonwealth Government to encourage enlistment via the Sportsmen's 1000 in Victoria. Text only and printed in red and blue ink it calls for like minded sportsmen to enlist, train, embark and fight together. It also gives potential recruits financial incentives to enlist. The notice details £500 pledged to the Sportsmen's 1000 Committee by the Hon. Agar Wynne member for St Kilda to be awarded to the first Victoria Cross winner serving with the Sportsmen's Units. It also lists smaller amounts of £20 each for the first 5 Distinguished Service Medals and first 5 Military Medals. These pledges were made by various politicians, the Presidents of the Victorian Football league; Bowling Association; Amateur Turf Club; Cricket Association and Lacrosse Association and several private donors. The Committee, inaugurated at a public meeting at Melbourne Town Hall in March 1917, followed through with the pledges and advertised in the 'Argus' on 29 March 1920 for decorated men of the Sportsmen's Units to write to them detailing the dates of their award so the monies could be distributed.