Empire Day was an annual celebration in Australia, held on Queen Victoria's birthday on 24th May, to promote loyalty to the British Empire. Celebrations included patriotic songs and recitations for schoolchildren, often followed by a half-day holiday, bonfires, and fireworks. The observance began in 1905 and was eventually renamed Commonwealth Day in 1958. Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.This image is significant because it documents an important celebration in Wodonga and was taken by a recognised photographer born in Wodonga.A black and white image of people celebrating in the centre of Wodonga, 1910. A title and the photographer's name are written on the image.EMPIRE DAY WODONGA GENERAL VIEW OF PICNIC BONSEMA WODONGAempire day celebrations, empire day wodonga, bonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. It was celebrated throughout the British Empire, including in Australia, with fireworks and bonfires in the evening. The last celebration of Empire Day in Australia took place in 1958, when the name of the celebration was changed to Commonwealth Day.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. An Empire Day cardboard bookmark featuring an illustrated crown, and Australian flag and Union Jack flag design. Gold trim lines the border of the bookmark. hamilton-smith, hamilton-smith collection, ellwood, wodonga, empire day, british empire, commonwealth

Empire Day had been initiated following the death of Queen Victoria and was held throughout the Empire from 1901-58. The main day of celebration was on 24 May, the date of Queen Victoria’s birthday. The Balwyn fundraising button was created for an appeal three days before the official date. 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 1930sPatriotic 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.An Empire Day fundraising button from 1921. The white enamelled button depicts in the centre an image of the Balwyn War Memorial in Beckett Park surmounted by a red ensign."Balwyn Empire Day Celebrations, Appeal for the Blind, May 21st 1921"patriotic buttons, empire day, balwyn war memorial - beckett park

The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. It was celebrated throughout the British Empire, including in Australia. Ballarat schools marched in procession with a salute at the Town Hall before attending church services at their respective churches. By the late 1950s the celebration became Commonwealth Empire Day the reference to Empire being dropped by the 1960s.These form part of a large family collection of bookmarks and local & family history items at Hymettus Cottage, home to the same family for the past 127 years in 2024. They have a well documented provenance and a known owner forming part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. They contribute to our understanding of social and family life in twentieth century Ballarat and providing interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes. These four bookmarks are from 1951-1954.Three Empire Day cardboard bookmarks each featuring an illustrated crown, with crossed Australian and British flags, each bookmark trimmed in gold. The first is simply for Empire Day and two commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the 1953 Royal Visit respectively.nil,empire day, royal visit, bookmarks, empire day movement, melbourne, coronation year 1953

Empire Day officially began in 1903 and was celebrated on May 24th, Queen Victoria's birthday. Celebrated across the British Empire, it's aim was to instill knowledge of and pride in the Empire. It was last celebrated in Australia in 1958 when the Empire became known as the Commonwealth.Empire Day Stallholder's Permit: 3 x Permits. Green oval shaped with blue cotton string through a hole at the top. The Permit has a British Union Flag in red and blue print. Written *Empire Day underlined in blue ink with 1941 - Stallholder's Permit- No.... Alex T Coubrough Hon. Secretary. Box 625event, social, stallholders permitt., empire day. alex t. coubrough.

This document is a speech titled "Empire Day 1933. A message to the children at Olinda School from their member". It is signed G H Knox. It was written by Sir George Hodges Knox and read to the children at Olinda School as part of the Empire Day celebrations in 1933. Sir George Hodges Knox (1885-1960) was a veteran of WW1 and was elected to the Ferntree Gully Shire Council in 1922. He held this post until 1927.The City Of Knox is named after him. He won the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat for Upper Yarra in 1927 for the Nationalist Party. He became Speaker for the Victorian Parliament in 1942 and remained there until 1947. Between 1945 and his death in 1960 he held the seat of Scoresby. He was knighted in 1945. The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. Empire Day was observed in state schools from 1905 with a program of addresses, pageants and patriotic songs, with children swearing allegiance to King and Empire with a loyal declaration. The last celebration of Empire Day in Australia took place in 1958. Five sheets of unlined paper that appear to have been torn from a writing pad with a speech handwritten in thick, black fountain pen commemorating Empire Day.olinda school, sir george hodges knox, empire day, speech, city of knox, knox, olinda, school, celebration

Three Empire Day 1941 stallholder's permits. Alex Coubrough Hon. Sec. In the form of card with blue string.event, official, empire day, lydia chancellor, collection, empire day, market, stallholder, business, ephemera

Early in 20th century, a small group of girls at Myrtleford State School 955 participated in honouring Empire Day each May by "dressing up" to represent Britannia. This select group of girls celebrates the might of Britannia in the first full year of World War 1. It reflects the type of celebrations schools were expected to participate in at that time and for some years to come. Alice O,Donnell, the tallest, centre pupil in the group, was to lose her life on the Australian Hospital Ship "Centaur" when it was sunk by a Japanese submarine off the Queensland coast in May, 1943.A monochrome photograph of a small group of pupils at Myrtleford State School 955 in 1915, celebrating Empire Day. Pupils include from left: Isobel Robertson, Linda Croucher, Rene Johnson, Alice O'Donnell, Agnes Collins, Dorrie Peters, Madge O'Donnell. Photograph is inscribed: "T. Foxcroft, photo"empire day myrtleford state school 955 alice o'donnell

Scan of a ticket for Gem Pictures Empire Day Grand Picture Night.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, ticket, empire day, r. wall, h.j. christian

Black and white photo taken in the Canterbury Gardens of 15 girls from Surrey Hills State School taking part in maypole dancing. (Others are beyond the range of the photo.) The girls are not uniformly dressed but each holds a large ribbon. Part of the bandstand can be seen to the left of the photo. The Canterbury Library is the large building in the near background; further in the distance are some of the double-storey shops along Canterbury Road. Two of the girls are Elsie Wappet (nee Sherar) and Doris Turnball (nee Dixon). Lower LH corner: "MAYPOLE EMPIRE DAY 1912"empire day, surrey hills state school, surrey hills primary school, festivals and celebrations, maypole dancing, post card, doris turnball, doris dixon, elsie sherar, elsie wappet, canterbury gardens, rotunda, canterbury library

Lyons family history: From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised from 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Street parades featuring decorated business vehicles and bonfires were a feature. This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons.The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised by the Surrey Hills Progress Association from 1933-1938. The evening parade of floats, and vehicles both horse-drawn and motorised, proceeded along Union Road to the Surrey Gardens beneath festoons of candlelit lanterns, bunting and flags. The paper flowers used extensively on trade and business vehicles were the result of hours of work by families and friends. The Empire Day Celebrations were a great community event, in some years augmented by bonfires, including the ones in Beckett Park.Black and white photo of Fred Lyons' taxi decorated for Empire Day. The cab is parked in the street and is festooned with flowers and ribbons on the hood, bonnet radiator, running board and in the tyre spokes. Three women stand beside the cab. There are houses in the background. motor vehicles, festivals and celebrations, taxis, empire day, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons

Lyons family history: From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised from 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Street parades featuring decorated business vehicles and bonfires were a feature. The children are identified as (L to R) Julian Ethinney, Geoff Ethinney - from Sydney, Joyce Harris, Ken Moritz, Scoppy (the dog), Keith Harris, Ivan Moritz. This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons.The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to.Black and white photo of Fred Lyons taxi decorated for Empire Day celebrations in the 1930s with paper flowers. Beside it are 6 children - 5 boys and 1 girl with a dog. transport, empire day celebrations, children, fred lyons, (mr) frederick alphonsus lyons, julian ethinney, geoff ethinney, joyce harris, ken moritz, keith harris, ivan moritz

The photo was taken on Empire Day 1930, which was then celebrated on 24 May. The assorted fancy dress probably represents the various countries belonging to the British Empire. One girl (wearing the stovepipe hat?) has the same surname as the donor, presumably the donor's daughter. The information regarding the identities of the other children is therefore trustworthy.The photograph shows how Empire Day was celebrated and by implication how it was understood. The rear of the photograph is highly informative about families resident in the district at the time. B/W Photograph of a group of 17 schoolchildren in various kinds of fancy dress. Includes: American Indians, "pilgrim father"(?), blackened faces. A girl in the centre is holding a Union Jack.Rear: very faint, under darker overwriting: "Empire Day Celebrations 1930" Darker: "G A'Vard Emerald Concert Preparations 1930" "Back ?J Fulford?? Moyra Sherriff Alma MacKeller F Kennedy Edith A'Vard Molly Young Elsie Scott Thelma Holloway "Front Vic Fyffe Ron Stuart George Hail Rory Nichols standing Les Cook Front Des Gleeson?" Stamped number "604" empire day, sherriff, a'vard

Empire Day celebrations were held from 1908-1912. Prior to the opening of the railway in 1893 the only public transport to Surrey Hills was the Melbourne-Lilydale horse coach which travelled to Surrey Hills down Victoria Street and Mont Albert Road. The fare to Union Road was 9 pence. Photo 16-4a was the number given to the original print provided by the State Savings Bank. Ken Hall made a negative from it, and the reprint of this was given the number 1459. This number was chosen as the catalogue number to avoid confusion with SHP4a. Photo provided by Surrey Hills branch of State Savings Bank of Victoria in 1978 for launch of Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre and was one of the first photos in the collection. The inscriptions on the reverse may indicate it was used in the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood News.Black and white photo of Union Road looking south towards Canterbury Road. The street is decorated with lanterns and the Union Jack and other flags for Empire Day celebrations. There is a young girl in the foreground looking towards the railway crossing where there is a horse drawn cab and a horse drawn cart. Business signage includes that for a butcher, Sneddon's Real Estate and Otto Preuss, Economic Undertaker.On rear: "113% "; "Enlarge to 172 mm" and 2 arrows, all in blue biro.union road, empire day celebrations, horse drawn vehicles, undertaker, sneddon real estate, businesses, union road shops, otto preuss

Empire Day (Town 1905?B/W Photo a large group of people in a square formation with soliders in the centre., Facing a dais draped with the Union Jack flag. with people upon dais.On Reverse First Celebration of Empire Day 24th May 1905stawell

This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons. From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911; they were revived between 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. They featured street parades with highly decorated vehicles provided by local businesses and bonfires, including the one in Beckett Park.Black and white photo of Mr Fred Lyons with his taxi decorated for Empire Day. The tourer car is parked in the street and is festooned with flowers and ribbons on the hood, bonnet radiator, running board and in the tyre spokes. Mr Lyons stands by the driver's side door. He is wearing a suit with a winged collar and tie. A small child is watching from the footpath on the left just behind a mature tree. There are houses in the background. empire day, motor vehicles, festivals and celebrations, taxis, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons

Flags - Empire Day 1933 Flags - Empire Day 1934 Memo to Depot Master informing that flags are to be flown on all cars for Empire Day.trams, tramways, instructions, events, flags

Date is approximate; early Empire Day celebrations were held in May each year between 1906 and 1911 to commemorate Queen Victoria's birthday. Headmaster, George Bennett was later headmaster at Balwyn State School, which his son Gordon (later General Gordon Bennett) attended. Miss Amy Wise was a teacher at Surrey Hills State School for her entire career. (There is information in filing cabinet re Amy Wise). Note (undated) from John Reaburn states that an issue of SHNN claimed Major General Bennett was a pupil at SHPS. He stated: "I very much doubt this, as he was 19 years of age when his father was headmaster in 1906. Before that the whole family attended Balwyn State School. The statement should be substantiated or corrected".Black and white photo copied from a postcard of staff and students assembled outside Surrey Hills Primary School for Empire Day celebrations. Some children carry Union Jack flags. The cadet corps of the school stands in line on the path against the picket fence of the school carrying drums and 'rifles'. The male students are assembled in line at the edge of the road and the female students are assembled in the middle of the road. There are a number of adults in the background, presumably teachers and parents; two are identified. Centre is headmaster, Mr George Bennett and at the right is teacher, Miss Amy Wise. The photo is taken in Beatrice Avenue looking towards Canterbury Road. An Edwardian or Victorian style house can be seen on the corner of Beatrice Avenue and Canterbury Road.Within the original image: State School, Surrey Hillssurrey hills primary school, empire day celebrations, education, primary education, schools, cadets, beatrice avenue, post card, mr george bennett, miss amy wise, mr john reaburn

Ticket to admit one child to the Victory Theatre to celebrate Empire Day on 24 August 1929Blue coloured card, printed in blue on one sideempire day, victory theatre, st kilda mayoral function

Ticket issued by the City of St. Kilda for admission to the Victory Theatre on 16 May 1941 in celebration of Empire Day.Blue coloured card printed in black.victory theatre, city of st kilda, empire day

Ticket issued by the City of St. Kilda for admission to the Palais Theatre on 17 May 1944 in celebration of Empire Day.Yellow coloured card printed in black.city of st kilda, empire day, palais theatre

Ticket issued by the City of St. Kilda for admission to the Palais Theatre on 14 May 1948 in celebration of Empire Day.Orange coloured card printed in dark blue.city of st kilda, empire day, palais theatre

Ticket issued by the City of St. Kilda for admission to the Victory Theatre on 13 May 1949 in celebration of Empire Day.Pink coloured card printed in dark blue.victory theatre, city of st kilda, empire day

Ticket issued by the City of St. Kilda for admission to the Victory Theatre on 16 May 1947 in celebration of Empire Day.Pink coloured card printed in black.victory theatre, city of st kilda, empire day

Ticket issued by the City of St. Kilda for admission to the Palais Theatre on 24 May 1950 in celebration of Empire Day.Yellow coloured card printed in black.city of st kilda, empire day, palais theatre

Ticket issued by the City of St. Kilda for admission to the Hoyts Victory Theatre on 14 May 1954 in celebration of Empire Day.Orange coloured card printed in dark bluevictory theatre, city of st kilda, empire day