 On returning to England, Mackennal was appointed head of modelling and design at the Coalport Potteries, Shropshire early in 1886.In the same year he won a competition for the sculptured reliefs on the front of Parliament House, Melbourne, and returned to Australia in 1887 to execute these.While in Australia, Mackennal obtained other commissions, including the figure over the doorway of Mercantile Chambers, Collins Street, Melbourne.