How it originated:
On Ash Wednesday, February 16th 1983, a large area of Victoria suffered the effects of bush fires. In the Beaconsfield area many homes were burnt and a number of people lost their lives. The Associates of the MPDGAA decided to give the proceeds from the District Championships to the Associates from Beacon Hills and Montuna Golf Clubs who lost their homes in the fires.

There were five ladies from Beaconhills and one lady from Montuna involved, and altogether $900 was raised for the fund. So each of the ladies was given $150.

Five members from Beaconhills – Dorothy White, Moya Ross, Margaret Mackenzie, Joyce Connan and Mary Hall – donated a silver tray to the MPDGAA to be used as a trophy, with the committee to decide what competition was to be played.. It was agreed to call it 'The Beacon Plate', to be awarded to the winners of a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford event for District Associates, with the proceeds to be used to cover expenses for the Country Teams players.

The inaugural event was played at Beacon Hills on Friday 13th April, 1984.