Engraved with the inscription "Presented to the Worshipful Mayor of Sydney Walter Renny Esquire by the Exhibition Committee of the Agricultural Society of N(ew)S(outh) Wales on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Exhibition Building, Prince Alfred Park, March 9 1870", this trowel and gavel were made by French immigrant silversmith Hippolyte Delarue. The building, which was designed to hold agricultural shows for the Agricultural Society's annual exhibitions, was a popular venue for balls and musical concerts and housed the Australian War Museum. It was demolished in 1954 to make way for the Prince Alfred Olympic swimming pool.

Ceremonial trowels were presented to a dignitaries to spread the first layer of cement onto which a commemorative stone was laid. After the stone was adjusted, using a plumb, level and mallet, the stone would be declared "duly laid".

(Image: Ceremonial trowel and mallet used by Mayor Walter Renny, Prince Alfred Exhibition Building , 1870 STHC 88-181/174)