Cheer-Up Society Warden's badge

The South Australian Cheer-up Society was established in 1914 and comprised volunteer women workers who offered support to soldiers through the distribution of comforts, provision of meals and entertainment.
Men also volunteered in the Cheer Up Society establishments, helping to lighten the tasks of the women helpers. There were mainly engaged in duties as Hut wardens and 'washers up', among other roles.
The society also wished to shield soldiers from alcohol and disreputable city entertainments such as bars and brothels. In World War One, they established the Cheer-Up Hut and in World War Two, the Cheer-Up Hostel.

This larger sized celluloid badge appears to be very rare. Other Cheer-Up Society Warden badges are much smaller, made from enamel and are oval in shape.
Most badges made in Adelaide during wartime were created by two companies - A.W. Patrick and Atkinson & Co. The backing of this badge was made by an American company, Cruver Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, Illinois. It is unlikely that either Australian company would have possessed the tooling equipment necessary to complete the badges.
Metal during wartime Australia was a precious commodity. This may have been sourced from the US prior to the attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7 1941, after which America joined the fight, Alternatively, it may have been received as a sample.