Australian National First Aid Corps enamel badge

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Olson Adelaide

c. 1971

Overview

Circular Australian National First Aid Corps enamel and metal lapel badge. It features a central white, four-armed Maltese Cross with gold borders on a black background.
Around the outside is a vibrant green enamel border with gold internal and external edges and gold text reading 'Australian National FIRST AID CORPS'.
A small oval shaped tab at the base is marked with the number '2', likely indicating a level, class, or years of qualification. It is attached to the front of the badge by two metal wires which extend from a hole in the front through to the reverse where they are splayed out to secure the tab.
The reverse is made from stippled gold-tone metal and has two metal lugs for attachment. The maker's name 'OLSON ADELAIDE' is embossed in a trapezium shaped border between the maker's name and the wire ends attaching the tab.

Historical information

The Australian National First Aid Corps is directly tied to the historical system of industrial and occupational first aid established by the Australian railway networks—specifically the Australian National Railways. Large industrial employers like the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) and later the Commonwealth's Australian National Railways (formed in 1975) operated internal first aid divisions. Employees volunteered as first responders, receiving specialised training to treat injuries on remote tracks, train stations, and heavy engineering workshops. Volunteers within these industrial corps had to pass rigorous annual first aid examinations to maintain their certifications.
Earning a numbered tab (as on this badge) or bar proved they had successfully completed their continuous re-examinations over subsequent years.

Olson Badges (operating as Allan J. Olson Pty Ltd) was founded in 1966. The founder, Allan Olson, started as an apprentice back in 1936 with S. Schlank & Co. of Adelaide. In 1971, he purchased the former Schlank & Co. factory plant, equipment, and historical stamping dies, dating this item to after that time.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01079

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Personal Effects

Themes

Medicine and Health

Social History

Material