"Artie", which began as a cartoon character in the shape of a rat, eventually became the official mascot of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association (RAAV). In this photo, the Friends of Artie auxiliary group are depicted at their monthly coffee shop, which was held at the Hawthorn Town Hall. A cropped version of this photo appears on page 13 of the Vol 1 No 2, April 1984 issue of RAAV's quarterly newsletter, News Review. It is captioned: "Friends of Artie, from left, Margaret Cleve, Eileen Erving, Kathy Payne, Phoebe Cum-mings, Dot Mortensen and Maureen Meyers, at their monthly coffee shop." Due to the photo having been cropped, 'The Rheumatism and Arthritis Association' sign on the wall isn't visible in the published photo. According to the article accompanying the photo, the monthly coffee shop catered to the craft market and raised about $100 a month for RAAV. The article also provides a brief history of the creation of Artie, which was initially a cartoon character created by Helen Semmler, daughter of Cliff Semmler, an executive member of RAAV. The character, a research rat, became so popular that it was eventually turned into a mascot, with a costume created for RAAV member, Dot Mortensen. Dot brought the character to life with appearances as Artie at many RAAV events.B&W photo of a small group of women sitting on one side of a long table. On the table, there are some plastic containers with lids and a small tray of sandwiches, some jugs of milk and sugar bowls, a couple of cups, and two books. On the wall behind them is a small sign with the handwritten words, 'The Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria'. To one side of the sign, there is a stained glass window and, below that, a radiator with a tea towel draped across the top.[In blue ink] Maureen Meyers Dot Mortensen Kathy Payne Phobe Cummings Eileen Erving Margaret Cleve [on a yellow sticky note, in black ink] folder AFV photos 1987 & not dated - file "friends of artie”rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, artie, research rat, cartoon, mascot, costume, friends of artie, auxiliary group, margaret cleve, eileen erving, kathy payne, phoebe cummings, dot mortensen, maureen meyers coffee shop, fundraising, hawthorn town hall, helen semmler, cliff semmler, executive member, news review, 1984

Designed by Helen Semmler, typeset by Best Set Typesetters, Honk Kong.Black hardcover with white print. Dust cover has colour photo of jungle foliage and title in white and gold. 438 pages with illustrations.books, military history