'Red Cross Day' fundraising button 1915 - large size Collector's badge

The Commonwealth Button Fund was established in mid-1915, with the first Button Day being held in November of that year, supporting the people of Belgium. Over the course of the next 6 years, 33 Button Days were held raising money for a variety of patriotic and charitable causes including the Australian, British and French Red Cross, Hospitals, allied countries, current serving men and women, discharged, wounded and disabled servicemen and women, and their families. The buttons were sold in trams, buses, at railways stations and at rallies to raise money for the stated cause.

The second Commonwealth Button Fund appeal, 'Red Cross Day', was held on 2 July 1915. It was organised for the Australian Branch of the Red Cross. Badges were made locally by the Victorian Christian Endeavour Union. They were made in two sizes and sold for two different prices. This button was sold to schoolchildren at the reduced price of 3 pence, whereas the slightly larger button was sold for 1 shilling to the general public. Proceeds from the appeal were given to the Red Cross.

This larger sized 'Collector's Badge' relating to 'Red Cross Day' is associated with two other items in the collection - the badges sold by the collectors.