Historical information
Distributed to nurses during campaigning for improved wages and working conditions in the 1980s, probably during the historic 1986 Victorian 50-day nurses strike. The 'White' in 'WHITE LIES' refers to David Ronald White, who was a state M.P. and the Victorian Minister for Health from 1985-1989. David White regularly featured in Branch newsletters around the time of the strike, and was regularly portrayed as a magician, skilled in 'white magic' that made 'nurses wages disappear'.
The Royal Australian Nursing Federation (RANF) became the Australian Nursing Federation in 1989, suggesting that this button is from the late 1980s.
Physical description
Circular blue and white plastic button. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back.
Button printed with 'WHITE LIES = WAGE CASUALTIES' and 'R.A.N.F. [Royal Australian Nursing Federation] Vic. [Victoria]'.
Subjects
References
- Parliament of Victoria - Former Member Profile: David Ronald White A brief overview of David White, Victorian Minister of Health from 1985 to 1989. The 'White' in 'WHITE LIES' on this badge refers to the then-Health Minister.
- Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Victorian Branch: Our History Brief overview of the history of the Victorian nurses' union, including useful historic background for this badge.
- 30th anniversary digital exhibition: The 1986 50-day Victorian nurses and midwives strike A digital exhibition launched by the ANMF (Victorian Branch) on the 30th anniversary of the historic Victorian nurses’ and midwives’ strike. Includes video interviews with key figures, historic photos and primary materials.
