'Wattle Day Ballarat' fundraising badge - small size
c. 1925Circular fundraising badge or button sold to support the 'Wattle Day' appeal in Ballarat, Victoria. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
It features a central depiction of a spray of wattle with fine green leaves and yellow globular flowers on a purple background. The words 'Wattle Day' are written in white letters around the top and 'Ballarat' around the bottom.
There are no maker's details.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment.
Fundraising badges such as this were sold in trams, buses, at railways stations and at rallies to raise money for the stated cause.
According to the Australian War Memorial, the Wattle Day League was formed almost concurrently in NSW and South Australia in 1909-10 with the purpose of promoting awareness of the plant, encouraging people to wear it and pushing for its adoption as a national symbol.
Founded by women and members of the Australian Natives Association, the League aimed to foster patriotic pride and national identity among Australians through the planting of wattle and other activities, eventually leading to the wattle being incorporated into the Australian Coat of Arms.
The homesickness felt by many troops serving in France and the Middle East during World War One saw the wattle become a powerful symbol for Australia and home. The League used its popularity to promote and support many fundraising events.
This badge is undated but came with many other Wattle Day badges from the mid 1920s to the mid 1930s. Funds raised from the sale of this badge would have benefitted local charities in the Ballarat area.
Details
Details
On front of badge:
"WATTLE DAY
BALLARAT"
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