List of complete set of Commemoration Buttons issued by the Commonwealth Button Fund. Conditions of use, Country Applicants, incomplete set of Buttons. National Mutual Chambers, 395 Collins Street, Melbourne, September 1919. S. Greig Smith, Secretary.organisation, government, official, commonwealth button fund, national mutual chambers, commemoration buttons

Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Patriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.Fundraising badge sold by the Commonwealth Button Fund to raise funds for the victims of the Armenian massacres in the Ottoman Empire during the war."Servia Syria Armenia"patriotic buttons, first world war (1914-18), badges

These badges were issued by the Commonwealth Button Fund to raise funds for the Victorian Red Cross appeal in World War One. They were first issued in July 1915 and it is estimated over 300,000 were sold.These badges are retained as examples of the badges sold in World War One to raise funds for the Victorian Red Cross.Five circular, slightly concave badges with pin clasp on the reverse. The badges feature a red cross on what appears to be white piece of cloth. The background is red with a white annulus around the edge. Four are faded to orange and cream colours.FOR KITH AND KINworld war one, commonwealth button fund

These badges were produced for the Commonwealth Button Fund to raise funds for the victims of the Armenian massacre in the Ottoman Empire during World War One. The button was designed by Frances Woolcot the Honorary Organiser of the Melbourne Branch of the Commonwealth Button Fund. The buttons were sold late in February 1918 and raised 7,300 pounds for the victims.February These badges are of interest as an example of the Australian fund raising efforts during World War One for a specific group of people - in this case the victims of the Armenian massacres..1 Concave metal badge featuring sky, a minaret, two onion shaped domes, buildings, sand, three mounted camels and palm trees. There is a clip pin on the reverse. .2 As for .1 but discoloured and there is no slot into which the pin may be inserted. SERVIA SYRIA ARMENIA

Fundraising badge sold by the Commonwealth Button Fund to raise funds for the victims of the Armenian massacres in the Ottoman Empire during the war. The button was designed by Frances Woolcot, the Honourary Organiser of the Melbourne Branch of the Commonwealth Button Fund. The design was approved in November 1917 and the buttons were sold on 30 February 1918 - £7,300 was raised on the day. Part of the button collection of Frederick HyamsRound metal badge in orange, blue, black and white. Desert scene with city, three palm trees and camels with riders silhouetted. Words printed under scene. Pin at back fits into slotServia Syria Armenia

Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Patriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.Photographs accompanied an article in ‘Table Talk’ in October 1916 on the sale of buttons labelled ‘Please Help the Hospitals’ . The Commonwealth Button Fund supported the appeal. In the photographs, all of the collectors are holding tins with the Red Cross logo on them. The actual fundraising button depicts a dog with a basket in its mouth. The dog has a red cross on his coat."Please Help / The Hospitals"patriotic buttons, first world war (1914-18), badges

Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930s.Patriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.Metal badge with a printed illustration of a Red Cross flag and printed text on a red ink background surrounded by a white border. The Commonwealth Button Fund issued buttons of this design for a Victorian Red Cross appeal in July 1915. All funds raised during the appeal were to be used for the support of the Australian Red Cross and the servicemen in their care. Between 300,000-400,000 of these buttons were distributed."For Kith and Kin"patriotic buttons, badges, first world war 1914-1918

Hyams, Frederick. Pte 17982 4th F.TroopWorld War I Red Cross fund-raising badge. According to contemporary newspaper articles the Commonwealth Button Fund issued buttons of this design for a Victorian Red Cross appeal in July 1915. All funds raised during the appeal were to be used for the support of the Australian Red Cross and the servicmen in their care. Between 300,000-400,000 of the buttons were distributed. Pezikian & Anderson (2017: 14) identify the badge's maker as the Victorian Christian Endeavour UnionCircular pressed metal badge with a plastic coated obverse, metal back and attached pin. In the centre of the obverse, a printed illustration of a Red Cross flag and printed text appears on a red ink background surrounded by a white border. The badge is discoloured. The metal back of the badge is soiled and tarnished.

Badges like this were sold in trams, buses, at railways stations and at rallies during World War I to raise money for different patriotic and charitable causes including the Australian, British and French Red Cross, Hospitals, allied countries, current serving men and women, discharged, wounded and disabled servicemen and women, and their families. The Commonwealth Button Fund was established in mid-1915 and, over the next 6 years, 33 Button Days were held. "Our Sailors Day" button day was held on March 23 1917. It was the first to be dedicated to Australia's naval forces and proceeds were given to The Navy League.Small round badge made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover. Picture of the navy ensign on a blue background, inside a white life ring, on which is printed "Our Sailors Day"Our Sailors Daywwi fund-raising

The Kooyong Military Hospital in Kooyong Road, Caulfield was established for the care and rehabilitation of soldiers injured in World War 1. Many events like carnivals were held by the Red Cross to raise funds for the war effort and entertain the patients.This badge is a reminder of the Community support for injured soldiers when they returned from WW1 conflict and were hospitalized at Kooyong Military Hospital Caulfield 1914 - 1948 This badge was displayed at the GECC 'Wounded Soldier WW1 1914-1918 Exhibition" 2016 at Glen Eira Town Hall Caulfield A small tin button, with pin attachment at the back. The button was produced and sold as a fund-raiser for the Kooyong Military Hospital during the World War1, 1914-18, at that organisation's Carnival held on March 18th 1916. The front of the button is white with a blue perimeter. A copy of the City of Caulfield's Coat-of- Arms and the words, City of Caulfield, is written on the front of the button, as is the date 18th March 1916. Both the above are written in red. Kooyong Military Hospital is written in blue. ww1, 1914-18, kooyong military hospital, war casualties, caulfield, moorabbin, bentleigh, carnivals, fundraising, patriotism, anzac, australian commonwealth military forces