Badge Boy Scout, circa mid to late 1900's

Historical information

This badge, which was used in the mid to late 1900's (Scouts started in Australia in 1909) clearly demonstrates that the families in the Kiewa Valley although slightly remote were still able to participate in one of the prime "boy" only social groups. The Boy Scouting movement brought together boys from all the socio-economic areas in the Australian population. The scouting group applied the concept of self sufficiency and friendship to all its membership. It was an avenue to cross the boundaries of distance and regional mores.

Significance

Many of the boys in the Kiewa Valley and its regions would have been more "in tune" with the core principles of the scouting movement because being in a rural environment and "living on the land" was a day to day part of their life. What was an important aspect to they was the "mateship" and the belonging to a very large, and international, group of "like minded" boys. This avenue of interacting with a larger group of boys cut through the "small population" mores of a rural and at times isolated environment. This Boy Scouting activity was both mentally and physically significant to growing boys within the Kiewa Valley as it opened up the world to them.

Physical description

This brass badge has a front formed in a half circle base supporting a "Fleur de Leis" in a spear shape with "cut outs" at the appropriate places to provide the emphasis needed to project the form. Attached to the badge is a crescent moon shaped pronged frame for attaching the badge to lapels or collars or button eyelets.

Inscriptions & markings

On the bottom scroll "BOY SCOUTS" and on the back type fastener "STOKES & SONS" below this "Melb".

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