Summary

Badge issued for the Black Friday Appeal. Lord Mayor's Fund, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, 1939 (AD).

A report in 'The Age' newspaper, 7 Feb 1939 p. 22.

'BUTTONS SOLD IN THE CITY STREETS To Help Bush-Fire Fund
A very generous response from the public to the Lord Mayor's appeal for funds for bush fire relief, made through the sale of buttons in the city and suburbs and in many country districts yesterday, was proof of the sympathy which people feel for those who have lost their homes or possessions in the fires. About 800 collecting boxes were in use, and more than 1000 people gave up their time to selling. Women in the slim-fitting frocks of China, in picturesque Swedish, Greek ,German or Italian national costume sold in parts of the city, the Chinese women having given up their efforts for Chinese relief to make a gesture towards the bush fire victims. Then girls from the Hollywood Hotel revue, very decorative in their slacks and bright red jumpers with the initials H.H. appliqued on them, found many patrons, and several of the large stores - Foy's, Manton's, Lucy Secor's, Buckley's, Coles', Georges', Ball and Welch's, Elments', Hicks, Atkinson's and Woolworths - allowed members of their staffs to sell the buttons outside the shops.
From towns throughout the country requisitions were received for buttons to be sent, the secretary of the Lord Mayor's Fund, Mr. Granville Hicks, said, and between 15,000 and 18,000 were sent out.
Bcndigo and Ballarat did not participate, as separate efforts are being made in these cities. An hour after the sellers began their work in the city they were back again at the Lord Mayor's fund office for fresh supplies of buttons, handing in as much as £5 15/ in that time. A returned soldier who has collected only on Armistice day previously, sold 150 buttons in an hour, and another proof of the success of the appeal was that in the middle of the afternoon the saleswomen were still asking for more buttons.'

Physical Description

A steel and enamel badge with pin on reverse. The obverse features at the centre, the word HELP! styled as burning trees; below on a red background, DONOR.

Obverse Description

At the centre, the word HELP! as burning trees; below on a red background, DONOR.

Reverse Description

Plain

Edge Description

Plain

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