Historical information

The scarf was worn by Eileen Capocchi, a member of the Eureka Youth League Choir who sang at the Youth Carnival for Peace and Friendship and donated the item. The planned event had been targeted by Prime Minister Menzies as a Communist Party activity. The Commonwealth Government pressured local Sydney Councils to deny the organisers a venue. These attempts failed. The event combined sporting, athletic and musical events at a football stadium. In later years it was the subject of two documentary films.

Significance

The scarf is of historic and social significance because of its association with the Peace Carnival for Peace and Friendship of 1952 and the Eureka Youth League. The scarves were worn by all participants and by Eureka Youth League members in subsequent years. The scarf records some of the musical and sporting events organised by the Eureka Youth League in most major Australian cities.

Physical description

Brown and yellow square rayon machine edged scarf made for the 1952 Youth Carnival for Peace and Friendship in Sydney. Central portion shows a peace dove, pink heath, flannel flower and wattle. Perimeter shows a saxophonist, ballet dancer, high jumper, hurdler, cyclist and volleyball net.

Inscriptions & markings

"Youth Carnival for Peace and Friendship" white script on 3cm brown banner repeated 4 times around perimeter.