'Wattle Day League Ambulance Fund' fundraising badge - small size

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c. 1920

Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button sold to support the 'Wattle Day League Ambulance Fund' Ambulance Day appeal. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
It features a central depiction of a Red Cross on a cream background surrounded by a ring of gold. Outside of this is a broad outer border of yellow-brown on which the words 'Wattle Day League Ambulance Fund' appear in cream letters around the top and 'Ambulance Day' around the bottom.
The rim of the badge is cream and there are no maker's details.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment.

Historical information

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.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00738

Item type

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1