ProvenanceBadge produced as a souvenir to raise funds and sold at the Unley Aviation Day in August 1919.
The Peace Loan government campaigns involved aeroplanes visiting different locations to perform aerial acrobatics in order to raise awareness for the programme. Peace loans were similar to War Loans in that people ‘lent’ the government money in return for interest so that the government could recoup the cost of the war.
The Unley Aviation Day was held at the Unley Oval to fundraise for the government’s Peace Loan campaign. The sale of tickets of admission and the sale of badges such as this one were a part of the fundraising efforts for the day. Captain Butler performed aerial acrobatics and stunts for a full 45 minutes. Butler was then asked to distribute some leaflets with a message from the Mayor of Unley to the people of his district regarding the Peace Loan campaign. Harry Butler was a famous WWI aviator. He was born in Yorketown and always had a fascination with aviation. During the war he joined the Australian Air Force, but was so keen to get involved that he travelled to England to join the Royal Flying Corps and see some action. On 6 August 1919, he flew home to in time for some organised celebrations in his honour. Butler performed aviation tricks for the crowd who had gathered to welcome him home. His passion with aviation continued throughout his life. He is remembered as an aviation pioneer of South Australia. His appearance at the Unley Aviation Day proved popular as over 6000 people attended the event.
Before Butler’s flight, there was a women’s hockey match and a men’s baseball match. The 2nd of the 27th Infantry Regiment Band played for spectators in the afternoon.SignificanceIllustrative of the badges that were popular as a means of raising funds or showing support for particular organisations or causes during and after World War I. This and other associated badges are a rich source of evidence on the material and cultural history of Australia, particularly during wartime. The symbols, colours and mottoes used on the badges themselves also express ideas about the values and identity that Australians held in the early to mid-twentieth century.DescriptionCircular badge: printed paper between tin base and celluloid cover. Coloured illustration depicting aeroplane in dark blue, light blue and red. Marked 'Go it Unley' 'Unley Aviation Day 23-8-1919'.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1919Date of Usage1919MaterialTin
|paper
|celluloid Accession NumberHT 1986.0038
