Historical information

This is a badge from Warrnambool Technical College in the 1930s. Warrnambool Technical School was established in Timor Street in 1913. The senior section was later called Warrnambool Technical College and then Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education. The latter institute moved to Sherwood Park, Warrnambool and became the present-day Warrnambool campus of Deakin University. Warrnambool Technical School moved to Caramut Road, Warrnambool and is today known as Brauer College. The badge came from Mirth Marfell, the daughter of Henry and Helena Marfell. She 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. The badge has also belonged at one stage to W Goodall a member of a well known Warrnambool family.

Significance

This badge is of interest, firstly as a memento of Warrnambool Technical School from the 1920s and 30s and secondly because it came from Mirth Marfell, a Warrnambool person who had a distinguished nursing career.

Physical description

A circular metal and enamelled badge featuring a crimson torch and text on a bronze background surrounded by a dark green golden edged border with text. The reverse has a pin clip and text.

Inscriptions & markings

WARRNAMBOOL. TECHNICAL..SCHOOL
STOKES
W GOODALL