Summary

Badge from the Melbourne City Council. The donor's father was a member of the Victorian Typographical Society and worked as a taxi driver for the Melbourne City Council.

The badge is part of a collection relating to the Eight Hour Day movement. Action taken by stonemasons on 21 April 1856 led to the establishment of the Eight Hour Day, with the government agreeing that workers employed on public works should enjoy an eight hour day with no loss of pay. It was a world first and became emblematic of the rights of labour. In recognition of the significance of this achievement, April 21 was made a public holiday in 1879 and commemorative marches were held each year from 1879 until 1951. The Eight Hour Day holiday was renamed Labour Day in 1934. In 1955 the Labour Day march and celebrations were replaced by Moomba celebrations.

Physical Description

Metal badge. The top part is painted blue with a silver inscription on it and the bottom part is silver with a blue inscription on it. The top of the badge has three pointed edges, the rest is curved edges. There are two hooks at the back which are the fastening but there is no longer a pin.

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