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.A ‘Wattle Day for Children’ badge, which appropriates national symbols of fauna and flora: a kookaburra and wattle. The circular pressed metal fundraising badge was produced to support the war effort."Wattle Day for Children"wattle day for children, wattle day, francis rigg, badge

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.A ‘Wattle Day’ button featuring the head of a young girl surrounded by sprays of wattle. In the design for this fundraising button the purpose of the fundraising – ‘for Children’s Charities’ is emphasised.Wattle Day / For Children’s Charitieswattle day, patriotic buttons, 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.A ‘Wattle Day’ badge featuring the head of a young girl surrounded by sprays of wattle. In the design for this fundraising button the purpose of the fundraising – ‘for Children’s Charities’ is emphasised."Wattle Day: For Children’s Charities"wattle day, patriotic buttons, first world war (1914-18), badges

5 Flower Day Badge (Fund Raising Lord Mayors Fund). One Wattle Day For Children 1933 stawell

These three badges were issued as fund raisers on Children's Day in 1918,1919 and 1941. The Children's Flower day arose out of the League of Young Gardeners established in 1916 to assist the war effort by encouraging children to cultivate garden plots at home and at school. The Children's Flower Day included lectures and lessons at school related to garden cultivation. Flower shows of produce grown at home and at school and street stalls were run by children to raise funds for the war effort.These badges are of interest as examples of the activities of children in Victoria to assist the War effort in World Wars.1 Cream coloured circular metal and enamel badge featuring Union flag, a wreath of red flowers and leaves around the edge on two sides and text . A clip is on the reverse. 2 Cream coloured oval plastic coated card badge featuring blue flowers and wattle blossom and text. A slot at the top for a pin so it may be attached to clothing. 3 Cream coloured circular badge featuring a six pointed gold star, a coloured image of a house and garden and text. A clip is on the reverse1 EVD CHILDREN'S FLOWER DAY 1941 on face. A.W. PATRICK. N. FITZROY. V. on rim 2 CHILDREN'S FLOWER DAY 1918 3 CHILDREN'S FLOWER DAY 1919 PEACE YEAR and symbol of an flattened semi circle with incomplete rectangle interlaced. children, flowers, war effort, warrnambool

One of a series of photographs taken by Michael Ritchie who was enthusiastic deck hand on Wattle. Photographs taken when Wattle was at Rye for the Christmas/New Year period, most likely 1997. Sailing schedule,shows 5 cruises per day, ticket prices, cruise destination of Seal Colony.and tea, coffee & scrolls available. Colour photograph of Wattle moored at Rye Pier, looking to stern. Gangway, lifeboat, signs, Red Ensign visible. Skipper Leigh Doeg selling tickets to 2 parents,2 children on right hand side of photographsteam tug wattle, rye pier, seal colony cruises, leigh doeg, michael ritchie

Postcard with Handwritten letter on reverse22/12/15, Wonga Park, Ringwood My Dear Niece and Nephews I have just received your lovely preasant we all think it is just lovely and we all wish you all a very Happy New Year and a Merry Xmas. You will see I have put the cart before the horse but the three children is here and makeing a terrible noise. Bella has got a house in Mullum Rd near the station we have been all this time getting her settled and we are all going to her Place Xmas day and to Tunstall Boxing Day as we do not feel up to having them all here this year. My son Eddy got married a fortnight ago but he lives in Ringwood. will be pleased to see you soon, loving Aunt and ??

The dress was made by Miss Mary Ryan, a pupil at Lilydale Convent (now Mt Lilydale College) in 1902. It was worn to the Annual Empire Day Celebrations in Lilydale. Accompanying photo shows dress worn by Monica Ryan (no. 5089). The outfit also includes two hand made pockets for handkerchiefs and ties (nos. 735 & 736) Empire Day Dress; Cream silk, cotton lined, embroidered with kangaroos and emu holding shield, with Southern Cross stars above rising sun emblem. Banner below reads 'Advance Australia', embriodered with silk and cotton thread; also gold metalic braiding. Bodice of dress decorated with embroidered Australian and British flags, wattle branches and eucalyptus leaves, cotton, leather leaves(?); centre of dress and sleeve cuffs decorated with red, blue and white ribbons. Thin gold braiding around neckline. back of dress closes with hook and eye fasteners. 'Advance Australia' in gold metalic thread, bottom of dress. costume - childrens, costume - female ceremonial, lilydale

Cyril Everett Isaac (1884-1865) (MLC for South Eastern 1940-52) was a progressive educator, horticulturist and conservationist. A pioneer of school gardening, Isaac believed in the enlightening, spiritual values of working with the land, and founded the State Schools Horticulture Society in 1910. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Isaac recognised the potential to combine school gardening with humanitarian aid. In 1915, Isaac helped to establish the Young Gardeners’ League, whereby young garden enthusiasts could join for a penny and cultivate plots in their own backyards. These home-grown flowers and vegetables were then sold for the going market rates, and the proceeds went towards supporting the Education Department officers serving in the war and their families. This project culminated in a state-wide flower day show held at Melbourne’s Town Hall on 3 November 1916, known as Children’s Flower Day. Isaac hoped that this special day would encourage children to feel that by ‘growing the flowers they are doing something to help our brave soldiers.’ Originally aiming to raise £10,000, the inaugural Flower Day raised over £32,309 (including revenue from home produce), and was donated to the War Relief Fund. On 9 November, the Dandenong Advertiser reported: “This is a splendid record for the boys and girls of our State Schools, who are so well tutored, and ready and willing to help the British Empire against the enemy.” One month after Flower Day, Isaac enlisted in 58th Battalion of Australian Infantry Forces, and departed for Europe in May 1917. Subsequent Children’s Flower Days were held in 1917 and 1918 in Isaac’s absence, and accounted for 25 per cent of the £445,000 raised by the Education Department’s War Relief Fund. A badge created as a fundraiser for Children's Flower Day in 1918. These badges were sold in public places in order to raise funds for war relief. Round metal badge with celluloid insert that has a printed motif of flowers (wattle and forget-me-not) and three banners with red text.Printed recto: "CHILDREN'S/ FLOWER DAY/ 1918"isaac, cyril everett (1884-1865), children's flower day, world war 1, charity

James Henry Curnow married Mary Jordan, daughter of Mr M Jordan of Wattle Street, in 1895. She was the second wife of James Curnow. His first wife was Jane Ann Corbett, who died in 1893 at the age of 30. James and Jane had 4 children including an unnamed female who only lived for 1 day in 1893. It is therefore possible that Jane's death was the result of some complications of the birth. Mary Curnow died 2/9/1909 at the age of 39. James Curnow entered local politics an 1901 as a member of the Bendigo COuncil, Sutton Ward. He spent two years as the Mayor in 1902-1904. James Curnow was originally an auctioneer.a. Wedding Card (Invitation) in form of folded (fold-out) card. Front: Mr & Mrs J H C Curnow, James H Curnow, 'Eumnana', Wills St, Bendigo. Inscribed on back : married on March 27th 1895; Cyril James Curnow born February 17th 1896; Vera Curnow born March 31st 1898; Born ?? 1869; b: envelope for a.person, individual, curnow collection