Postcard showing the ANZAC Buffet in Hyde Park, Sydney
c. 1939 - 1946Cream coloured postcard featuring a greyscale image of the ANZAC Buffet in Hyde Park, Sydney during World War Two. It shows an attractive building with steep pitched hexagonal rooves with flagpoles atop, set within a garden of mature trees. A sign for the ANZAC Buffet appears on the left of the building.
The reverse of the postcard is unused but does say that the card was 'kindly sponsored by a wellwisher.'
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. This postcard shows the Hyde Park Buffet.
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.
Details
Details
On front of postcard:
"ANZAC BUFFET, HYDE PARK, SYDNEY, N.S.W."
On reverse of postcard:
"CORRESPONDENCE POSTCARD ADDRESS"
In rectangular box at bottom left:
THESE CARDS HAVE BEEN
KINDLY SPONSORED BY
A WELLWISHER"
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