A few week's ago the Bombala Times was contacted by Alan Beileiter from Sydney trying to find out information about a beautiful silver trophy that was handed down to him by his grandfather William Beileiter.

The trophy is engraved 'Won by William Beileiter at Bombala 25^th May, 1888' however Alan had no idea what the trophy was for and the search for information began.

Mr Beileiter said he had searched the internet including Trove to no avail and he wondered if someone in Bombala may know anything about the mystery trophy.

Mystery of Bombala Silver Trophy

After not receiving any response about the trophy from the Bombala area, the Bega District News published the story last week and the mystery has been solved by former Bega Valley Genealogy Society research officer, Pat Raymond.

Mrs Raymond said that over the years she has done a lot of research on the Beileiter family.

"The cup in question was won by William Beileiter when he took part in the Bombala Athletics Club Sports Meeting held over three days - Thursday to Saturday, May 24, 25 and 26, 1888.

"William Beileiter came first in the Silver Cup Race run over 125 yards. It was apparently a handicap race with William's handicap seven and a half yards and he won it in a time of 13 and 1/5^th seconds," Mrs Raymond said.

There was also the matter of prize money which Mr Beileiter said he thought William had also won which was "apparently a large amount in those days".

Although Mrs Raymond was unable to find out how much money William won when he won the Bombala Athletics Club 125 yard Silver Cup Race in 1888 she was able to confirm that the previous year, 1887, he came second in the Bombala Athletics Club Sheffield Handicap winning £15.

It was reported in the Monaro Mercury and Cooma & Bombala Advertiser on Saturday, May 28, 1887 the Bombala Sheffield Handicap had prize money of £100 with the winner to receive £60, second man £15 and third £10.

The race was won by A McDonald with William Beileiter coming second.

It was reported, "Time 14 seconds. This was a magnificent race, and was bitterly contested. The men jumped away well together at the report of the pistol, but Beileiter slipped and lost about a yard, McDonald and Turnbull going to the front. About half way down the track Beileiter joined Turnbull and a desperate race ensued, McDonald getting first past the post by about a yard, Beilieter beating Turnbull by about a foot, and Johnstone about two yards behind Turnbull."

"So Alan was correct in saying that William won money in addition to the cup, but it was the previous year," Mrs Raymond said.