The Melbourne Argus on the following Day reported on the event: "MILITARY CONCERT. A sequel to the military sports gathering recently held on the Melbourne Cricket ground was provided last night at the Town Hall in the shape of a military concert, at which the prizes won at the sports were distributed. The proceeds of both fixtures will go to further the Y.M.C.A.'s work of providing winter comforts for troops on active service. Additional aid to the fund will be forthcoming from the sale of the handsome souvenir programmes the cover ol which is a replica of the A.N.A. roll of honour, and depicts the landing on Gallipoli. The charge made was an indefinite I one, with an irreducible minimum of six-pence." (Source: The Argus, 26 Jan 1916, p. 9)Military Concert, Melbourne Town Hall, 25th January 1916. 4 page program illustrated on the cover with an image of Australian troops landing at Gallipoli. Also included are the coats of arms of the Australian States at the time. The insert (Image 2016.0461a) includes details of the performances and performers. The best known of the performers at the concert was Horace Stevens.first world war (1914-18), gallipoli, military concerts -- melbourne -- 1914-1918

Kew Historical Society, founded in 1958, has an extensive reference library, of which this book is a part. Volumes in the library are used by members for research into aspects of local history and/or to support the Society's collections of pictures, maps, fashion and artefacts. Reference books have entered the collection through donation, presentation, collection and purchase.Booklet advising on standards for knitting items for soldiersaustralian comforts fund (victoria), second world war 1939-1945

The Australian Comforts Fund was established in August 1916 to co-ordinate the activities of the state based patriotic funds, which were established earlier in World War I. Mainly run by women, they provided and distributed free comforts to the Australian 'fit' fighting men in all the battle zones. They became divisions of the Australian Comforts Fund. The Council of the Fund comprised two delegates from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland and one from the states of Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The Executive headquarters was located in Sydney. It ceased operation on 10 April 1920 and was reconstituted in World War II in June 1940 and ceased operation again on 27 June 1946. The state bodies in World War I were: New South Wales: the 'Citizens' 'War Chest' Fund; Queensland Patriotic Fund; South Australia: League of Loyal Women; Tasmania: 'On Active Service Fund'; Australian Comforts Fund, Victorian Division; Victoria League of Western Australia. During World War II the state bodies were called : The Lord Mayor's Patriotic and War Fund of New South Wales; the Australian Comforts Fund, Victorian Division; the Australian Comforts Fund, Queensland Division; the Australian Comforts Fund, Tasmanian Division; the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund SA Inc; the Victoria League Camp Comforts Fund ( W A ) Australian Comforts Fund commissioners conducted its activities in the field, holding honorary rank as officers of the Army or Air Force.World War 1 publication for the home front with Kew listingsVoluntary War Workers Record, compiled for the benefit of the Australian Comforts Fund - 1918. Price - 1/6. the publication includes sections on Kew.australian comforts fund, australian comforts fund (victoria)

WW2 Tin Hat AppealTin Hat Appeal BadgeRSL War Service Fund Tin Hat Appeal for Comforts

Ill, map.p.292.non-fictionThe travels of Frank Clune in the Middle East in World war twoaustralian comforts fund, travel and description - middle east

Ill, p.366.non-fictionA history of the Australian Comforts Fundworld war 1939-1945 - civilian relief, australian comforts fund

"The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 had an immediate impact on communities across Australia, and it was no different in Melton. Young men began enlisting immediately, and Australia’s initial offer of 20,000 troops was soon exceeded by Victorian enlistments alone. Over the four years of the war, approximately 114,000 Victorians enlisted and around 91,000 servicemen and women were sent overseas. They came not just from Melbourne, but from all over the state; from farms, small towns and suburban areas. They included locals, newly arrived migrants and Indigenous people. The Australian home front was a hive of activity throughout the war, and the Melton community played its part. Following the announcement that Australia was joining the war with Great Britain and its allies on 5 August 1914, the Melton community lost no time in launching into action. A meeting ‘to assist the Red Cross fund’ was held in the Melton Mechanics’ Institute hall on 18 August – just days after the outbreak of the war. Collectors were appointed for each corner of the shire and individual donations were made. A Melton branch of the Australian Red Cross Society was formed in June 1915 and focused its energies on raising funds to purchase material that was used to make clothes for sick and wounded soldiers. A depot was established in Melton to collect clothing and other ‘comfort’ items for the soldiers – including reading material, tobacco, linen, canned foods and soap – and to coordinate the branch’s work and activities. Local cab driver Percival Stubbs volunteered to transport all the packages to the Melton railway station, until he enlisted and departed for the front in 1916. Such were the numbers of people getting involved that branches were also established in Toolern Vale and Rockbank. Regular community events were held to farewell soldiers who were leaving on active service and to welcome those who returned home. Gunner Robert (Bob) Wynne, whose uncle’s family ran the general store in Toolern Vale, was presented with a pair of field glasses (binoculars), a gold watch, inscribed locket and autographed letter by the Toolern Vale community before he set sail for the front in 1916. His mother noted that he ‘sailed away in good spirits with a smile till out of sight’. From June 1915 to June 1919, the Melton Red Cross branch donated 2,156 pairs of socks, 1,357 shirts, 425 kit bags, 251 pillowslips, 224 towels and 121 pairs of pajamas. Countless fundraising events were held, including jumble fairs, concerts and gift evenings. Local schools also encouraged students to contribute through fund-raising and making and collecting comforts for the soldiers. People across the country engaged in similar activities, but Victoria’s rural communities found unique ways of contributing. In Melton, people were encouraged to send rabbits and hares ‘in good condition’ to an exporter in Spencer Street, for export to Belgium ‘for the relief of those suffering". Special Anzac Memorial article featured in the Star Weeklylocal identities, war

A brown leather wallet containing a copy of the Australian Soldiers' Pocket Book. This book was given to soldiers and other servicemen during WW2. This pocket book has a bright red cover and contains details of relevant information considered useful to serving service personnel.non-fictionThe Australian Soldier's Pocket Book was a small publication with a red cover. It was designed to offer useful information to Australian Soldiers, serving at home and abroad during World War 2. The book was a gift from the A.C.F. (Australian Comforts Fund) and was revised several times during the war. It contained approximately 125 pages of facts and helpful hints. The Australian Soldier's Pocket Book was originally compiled and issued in Victoria by the Victorian R.S.L. War Service Fund. It's contents included 'rules and regulations' and other content which varied according to the date of print. For example, this edition contained articles titled "The Laws And Customs Of War" and "Things a Soldier Should Know". world war 11, soldiers' handbook, australian comfort fund (acf)

non-fictionOne of a series of travel books produced by Frank Clune. This volume details his travels and observances in the Middle East during 1942. Clune was an honorary commissioner of the Australian Comforts Fund. Clune allegedly “left a very bad impression” on General Sir Thomas Blamey for his ‘irregular methods and indiscreet utterances’ about the British ‘only playing at war’. Blamey therefore ensured that Clune was subject to military censorship. Royalties from this book and funds raised during a lecture tour promoting it in 1943 were donated to the Australia Comforts Fund to whose voluntary workers it is dedicated. world war 11, world war 1939 - 1945, middle east

A greeting card published by the Australian Comforts Fund for Christmas and New Year 1918-19. It shows important battles involving Australians in 1918. A painting of Villers Brettonneux battle on 8 August 1918 by Captain Will Longstaff who was an A.I.F. War Artist with an explanation of the offensive. Also a painting of the capture of Hamel Village on 4th July 1918 where Australians were assisted by a detachment of Americans. The war artist was A. Pearse. Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from J.B. McLean. Some of the text: 'On the night of 24th August 1918, the Australians made a daring and clever counter attack in the darkness, recaptured Villers-Brettonneux, stopped the German advance and saved Amiens. This, and the Battle of Hamel, were only a prelude to the smashing advance which commenced on 8th August. Extract from Australian Corps Order, issued on 7th August:- "For the first time in the history of this Corps all five Australian Divisions will tomorrow engage in the largest and most important battle operation ever undertaken by the Corps." 85,000 Australians were engaged (with Canadians on their right and British Divisions on their left), supported by powerful artillery, tanks and aeroplanes. In this battle 7,000 prisoners, 150 guns with an immense number of machine guns and war material were captured. On August 31st and September 1st and 2nd Mont St. Quentin and Peronne fell to the Australians in three days, defeating the flower of the Prussian Guard.'A example of publications made for the troops in World War 1.A greeting card published for the Australian Comforts Fund in 1918.Greetings from Billworld war one, souvenir

A greeting card published by the Australian Comforts Fund for Christmas and New Year 1917-18. It has humorous cartoons of the war effort. Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824).A example of publications made for the troops in World War 1.A greeting card published for the Australian Comforts Fund in 1917.Greetings from Jessieworld war one, souvenir

Document. Hard cover book with the title inside the front cover ' Golden Square Branch Australian Comforts Fund. Badges, wool, material, car-stickers, donations. Badges, wool, material, car-stickers, donations. Also inside the front cover are the words Lydia Chancellor, Hon. Sec. 'Taraxville' Golden Square. 18-6-40.Lydia Chancellororganization, club / society, lydia chancellor collection, australian comfort fund, world war ii

Forty-three-page WW11 booklet titled 'Deeds of the 2nd AIF' issued to raise funds for the Australian Comfort Fund [ACF]. Price 6d. Various middle east war time conflicts outlined.australia, military, 2nd aif

This building was constructed in 1901 by surgeon Dr. William Cussen, a surgeon. His name is still visible in the leadlight above the front door. In 1998 Dr Cussens was an Honorary Medical Office with of the Ballarat Orphanage. In July 1920, the building was gifted to the citizens of Ballarat for the ongoing welfare of returned servicemen and women. Sir John Monash officially opened the building as the Ballarat War Memorial Building. In 1942 a voluntary organisation called The Comforts Fund took up residence in the building with the permission of the R.S.L to transform it into a hostel, providing beds, food and support for many service men and women during World War II. It is estimated that by the end of the war in 1945, one million meals had been served. The building was returned to the R.S.L in the later part of 1945. In 2013, 2 Lyons Street South was given new life as Ballarat Premier Apartments after extensive renovations and began operating as luxury accommodation.Double storey residence in Lyons Street South, Ballarat. 2 lyons street south, rsl, ballarat premier apartments, ballarat war memorial building, the comforts fund, william cussen, surgeon

Certificate of appreciation dated 30/6/1946 presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund by RSS & AILABlack plastic frame containing certificate with black and red writing below two symbols and picture of a buildingThe Returned Sailors Soldiers and Airmen Imperial League of Australia Presented to Wangaratta Comforts Fund in grateful appreciation of meritorious service rendered to the RSL War Service Fund during 1939-1945.comfort fund, ww2, wangaratta, certificate

The card was produced by the Australian Comforts Fund for Christmas and New Year 1918 - 19. The first illustration is of the Capture of Villers-Bretonneaux on 8th August 1918. This is a copy of painting by War Artist Capt. Will Longstaff. The second illustration details the capture of Hamel on 4th July 1918. A. Pearse was the War Artist who produced this scene. Part of the Robert H. Baron, No. 3596, and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.Colour illustrated folded card featuring battlefield scenes and written descriptions. The first illustration features actions from Villers-Bretonneaux. Inside the second illustration features action from Hamal. Text on the card is in blue ink.Handwritten at the bottom of the back page in blue ink: 'Bob'.robert h. baron, cooper collection, australian comfort fund, ww1, villers-bretonneux, hamel

Ill, p.361.ACF, a commonwealth-wide voluntary organisation accredited to the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force and charged with the duty of caring for all fit and well members of the Australian Forces during the Second World War, 1939-1945australian comforts fund - history, civilian war relief

Active service knitwear - during World War II years.Small cream booklet "Australian Comforts Fund" Victorian Division, A.C.F, Guide to Knitting standard socks, spiral stacking (navy), long-sleeve pullover, scarf, round-neck sleeveless pullover, balaclava cap, wrist-mittens for active service January 1940 Printed in black printing.As aboveknitting, wool, australian comforts fund

Both certificates awarded to Mrs ARBUCKLE were for her work during the World War of 1939-45..1) Certificate of Service, Australian Red Cross, parchment paper, off white, details in red & blue, persons name centre typed in black. .2) Certificate, Australian Comforts Fund Victoria Division, parchment paper off white, details in red & black, persons name hand written near top, signed by executive at bottom..1) "Mrs S Arbuckle - Carisbrook" .2) "Mrs S R Arbuckle"certificates, red cross, comforts fund