Official description of the Arms
Arms
Vert on a chevron wavy between three cooling Towers Argent a Bugle horn strined Gules on a chief or three lozenges Sable.
Crest
Upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Vert two Miners' Picks Saltirwise Sable within a Circlet of Lozenges also Sable
Supporters
Dexter A Horse and Sinister a Steer both proper
Motto
Power and Plenty
Badge
A wheel Gules winged or each Wing charged with a lozenge Sable
Interpretation
Shield
The green ground represents the verdant country and the wavy silver chevron charged with a red bugle horn the Hunter river which bends at Muswellbrook forming a chevron. The red bugle horn is taken from the arms used by John Hunter (1737-1821) second Governor of New South Wales. The lozenges, or black diamonds, symbolise coal as coal mining is a major feature of the Shire.
Crest
The miner's picks in saltire were used unofficially prior to the grant and they and the black lozenges refer to coal mining.
Supporters
The horse refers to the studs for which the area is well known and the steer of the cattle industry.
Badge
The winged wheel represents industry and transport. The black diamonds distinguish the badge and refer to the coal industry.
Anout the designer
The arms were designed by F.S Andrus, Lancaster Herald till his retirement in 1982, and Sire Anthony Wagner, Clarenceux King of Arms .
This page last updated 18 November, 2009 11:04 AM
