Fund raising ribbon : Australia Day, 30 July 1915

Rectangular, printed fund raising ribbon showing crossed British and Australian flags. Written on the ribbon is 'AUSTRALIA DAY./ (JULY 30, 1915.)/ FOR/ AUSTRALIA'S/ HEREOS.' The ribbon's edges are frayed.

This ribbon was produced as a fund raiser for Australia Day, 30 July 1915. During the First World War money was often raised for patriotic funds by setting aside a special ‘day' on which activities such as auctions, street collections, performances and stalls were held to encourage the community to contribute. Days such as ‘Belgian Day' were organised early in the War to raise funds to relieve the distress of war ravaged Allied countries. The days also provided some short relief from the deepening tensions experienced on the home front. It was decided that on 30 July 1915 an ‘Australia Day' would be celebrated across the country, and funds would be raised to help the Australian Division of the Red Cross continue to provide their services. Ribbons such as this, along with buttons and badges, were commonly sold at these events. Note that the Australia Day as we now know it, celebrated on 26 January, was known as Foundation Day until the 1950s.