Historical information

The ribbon is a souvenir of the first 'Australia Day', held 30 July 1915. This was not the celebration of nationhood as we know it today, but a national fundraising effort during World War I. Across Australia, this day was set aside for fundraising to assist wounded soldiers returning to Australia during WWI.
In Linton Australia Day 1915 was celebrated with a jumble sale, raffles, and the collection of donations. There was also a stall outside the Shire Offices, attended by a group of girls dressed as Red Cross nurses, which sold flowers, postcards, toys and souvenirs. Mrs Surman, then Stella Todd, was one of this group of girls, along with her sister Millie Todd. (See photograph, Registration no. 055.) Presumably the souvenir ribbon was purchased by one of the Todd family on this day.

Physical description

Small white-blue silk ribbon. Printed - black writing - flags - Australia and Britain. Map of Australia.
This ribbon was part of a collection of historical items belonging to Mrs. Stella Surman (formerly Stella Todd), of Linton.

Inscriptions & markings

"Australia-Day-1915" "Remember Australia's Heroes"