The ribbon is a souvenir of the first 'Australia Day', held 30 July 1915. This was not the celebration of nationhood as we know it today, but a national fundraising effort during World War I. Across Australia, this day was set aside for fundraising to assist wounded soldiers returning to Australia during WWI. In Linton Australia Day 1915 was celebrated with a jumble sale, raffles, and the collection of donations. There was also a stall outside the Shire Offices, attended by a group of girls dressed as Red Cross nurses, which sold flowers, postcards, toys and souvenirs. Mrs Surman, then Stella Todd, was one of this group of girls, along with her sister Millie Todd. (See photograph, Registration no. 055.) Presumably the souvenir ribbon was purchased by one of the Todd family on this day.Small white-blue silk ribbon. Printed - black writing - flags - Australia and Britain. Map of Australia. This ribbon was part of a collection of historical items belonging to Mrs. Stella Surman (formerly Stella Todd), of Linton."Australia-Day-1915" "Remember Australia's Heroes"australia day 1915, world war 1914-1918, souvenirs

This photograph was taken on the first 'Australia Day', held 30 July 1915. Across Australia, this day was set aside for a nation-wide fundraising effort for the Patriotic Relief Fund, raising money to assist wounded soldiers returning to Australia during WWI. Other days had been set aside to raise funds for specific nations, e.g. 'Belgian Day' had been held earlier in 1915.. In Linton Australia Day 1915 was celebrated with a jumble sale, raffles, and collection of donations. There was also a stall near the Shire Offices, attended by a group of girls dressed as Red Cross nurses, which sold flowers, postcards, toys etc. People identified in photograph: Standing slightly behind the group - Mr Smith (Alf J. Smith, Grenville Shire Secretary). L-R, standing: Kathleen Nicol, Violet Smith, Jean Gascoigne, Elva Ball, Miss Barry, Millie Todd, Effie Gascoigne, Stella Todd, unnamed. L-R, seated - Stella Ralf (spelled Ralph), Rita Morgan, three girls in centre are unnamed, Daisy Smith. The girls were pupils of the Misses Barry, who were assisted in costuming the girls by Mrs A. J. Smith. The stall raised eight pounds for the Patriotic Relief Fund. See article from the 'Grenville Standard', Saturday August 7, 1915, p.1. A copy of this article is in the "Australia Day 1915" file, kept with "Linton" files in the drawer underneath the photocopier in Room-01.Black and white photograph showing school girls dressed as Red Cross nurses. Older lady in middle of back row (Miss Barry) and three gentlemen wearing suits and hats at left hand side of photograph.kathleen nicol, mr smith, violet smith, daisy smith, jean gascoigne, effie gascoigne, elva ball, miss barry, millie todd, stella todd, stella ralf (ralph), rita morgan, world war 1914-1918, australia day 1915, red cross, nurses, patriotic relief fund, fundraising