World War One Australia Day 1918 Koala Bear Pinback Button Badge - Very Scarce

 World War One Australian Pinback Button Badge

AUSTRALIA World War One Tin Lapel Political Patriotic Pin Button Badge very scarce - almost 100 years old

This is a 1918 issued Australia Day Fund Raising Badge.

World War One Australia Day 1918 Koala Bear Pin back Button Badge -  Very Scarce

Description

WWI commemorative circular plastic-coated pressed tinplate metal badge with a celluloid face and a pin attachment on the reverse. This fund raising badge has a green border with a beige inner circle background. In the center a  Koala Bear climbing a tree is pictured. The legend  "AUSTRALIA DAY 1918" is around the edges.

Inscription:

Australia Day 1918

Maker
Atkinson & Co

Place made
Australia: South Australia, Adelaide

Date made
c 1918

Size

approximately 32 mm round ( 1 1/4 inches )

Summary:

Australia Day badge made in 1918.

The tradition of recognizing Australia Day began in the early 1800s. What started as a day marking the first landing of Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet of convict ships in 1788 evolved into an event where the colonists wanted to celebrate their new life in Australia.

Australian states and territories once celebrated Australia Day on different days and it was not until 1935 that the current Australia Day date of 26 January was made official and recognized nationwide.