Historical information

This badge was awarded to Mirth Marfell for a swimming award (Medallion - Education Department of Victoria). The award was given to students in Victorian schools for advanced prowess in swimming and lifesaving. Mirth Marfell was a student at Warrnambool High School in 1935 when she received the cloth badge for attaching to a blazer or other item of clothing. Warrnambool High School was established as an Agricultural High School in 1907 and, after a merger with Warrnambool North Technical School, it is known today as Warrnamboool College. Mirth Marfell, the daughter of Henry and Helena Marfell, was born in Warrnambool in 1919. Her grandfather, John Marfell, a Warrnambool hay and corn dealer and miller connected to the Warrnambool Co-operative Milling Company, was prominent in community and civic affairs in the town. Mirth Marfell completed her nursing training at the Warrnambool Base Hospital and served in the Australian Army Nursing Service in World War Two for five years. She then became the first Australian nursing organizer for the Victorian Royal College of Nursing.

Significance

This cloth badge is of interest, firstly as an example of the badge given to students for swimming achievements in the 1930s in Victorian schools and secondly because it was awarded to Mirth Marfell, a Warrnambool person who had a distinguished nursing career.

Physical description

Rectangular machine embroidered cloth badge.. The front features a gold colored scroll with text, a red and gold bordered shield, a diagonal red bordered slash with text bisecting an emerald green fish on a black background.

Inscriptions & markings

MEDALLION
E D V