Australia under attack: Cheer-Up Society cape

• Introduction
• Under attack
• Mobilisation
• The End in sight

This cape was worn by Miss Golda Ellis of the Murray Bridge branch of the Cheer-Up Society. The Cheer-Up Society was a South Australian organisation that provided recreational facilities for Australian and Allied service personnel. Murray Bridge was a major railway station for soldiers in transit and the Cheer-Up Society provided welcome refreshments. Golda stitched the cloth badges of servicemen she met to her cape.

The ribbon for the Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to Private (later Lieutenant) Oliver Neall of the 2/8th Battalion for gallantry at Tobruk is one of the badges on the cape. Golda married Oliver in 1943 before he left for New Guinea.

The end in sight

• The battle for Australia
• Love, loss & entertainment
  • Violet and Alan Glover
  • Cheer-Up Society
  • Entertaining the troops
• The AIF returns
• The Yanks are here
  • General Douglas MacArthur
  • US navy units in Western Australia
  • Lieutenant “Gus” Winckel
• The tide turns
• Remembering