ANZAC Buffet Voluntary Helper badge - Sydney

The first Anzac Buffet & Lounge opened in London in late 1915, run by the London branch of the Australian Natives' Association.

In Sydney, Red Cross volunteers established an Anzac Buffet in the Domain, near the St Mary's Road entrance. It provided free meals and entertainment to soldiers and their families. It was managed by the Volunteer Aid Detachment of the Red Cross from 1917–1920 and was open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

During World War Two, the Anzac Buffet served free food to service personnel, mainly men, in Hyde Park. It operated between 20 December 1939 and 3 March 1946 and provided over 4,000,000 meals.

Both Anzac Buffets were primarily run by the voluntary labour of Australian women. They became places where men were welcomed home, symbolizing the Anzac spirit of mateship and resilience.

It is difficult to know which of the two wars this badge was issued during. A WWII certificate in another collection shows a graphic illustration of an identical badge, so it was definitely used in that era. However, this doesn't preclude it being used in the First World War.

This badge has a very low number impressed on the back, indicating that the recipient was one of the first volunteers.