Summary

Note: This object includes white superiority messaging. Such attitudes and beliefs are not condoned by Museums Victoria which considers them to be racist. Historical distance and context do not excuse or erase this fact.

A school badge featuring a white map of Australia with the letters OSA and MBHS; around on horse shoe shaped border OMNIA LABOR VINCIT ('labour will conquer all'). Made circa 1920.

The frequent use of a white map of Australia as the iconography for badges, medals, stamps, published materials and more, reinforced the desire of governments and organisations to create a trade-protected, white, predominantly British population. It also erases any presence of First Peoples and their rights, heritage, culture and sovereignty.

Murray Bridge High School, South Australia, is the most likely source of this badge.

Physical Description

Gilt and enamel badge with loop on top. The obverse depicts a white map of Australia with the letters OSA; below on blue background, MBHS; around on inverted horseshoe-shaped border, 'OMNIA LABOR VINCIT'. The reverse is plain.

Obverse Description

A white map of Australia with the letters OSA; below on blue background, MBHS; around on horse shoe shaped border, OMNIA LABOR VINCIT

Reverse Description

Plain

Significance

Notes regarding motto: 'Omnia Labor Vincit' is also used for the coat of arms of Mpumalanga, a province in rural South Africa. 'Labor Omnia Vincit' is the motto of several Australian schools, including Liverpool Girls' High School, Liverpool Boys' High School, Adelaide Technical High School, Roseville College (Sydney), Birdwood High School (South Australia) and Sydney Girls High School. 'Labor Omnia Vincit' is also used on the union badge of the Professional Radio & Electronic Institute of Australia, 1962-1988 (Powerhouse Museum 89/604-1).

More Information