Badge - Protect Australia League, Australia, circa 1938

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Summary:: Protect Australia League enamelled badge, circa 1938. The Protect Australia League was formed in late 1938 and by March 1939 had over 2,400 members. It was composed of 'sincere men and women-Australians who are not quite satisfied with the present position of our national affairs...who feel that it is not only their right but their duty to voice a concerted opinion on matters of national import'. The league's two key focuses were: loyalty to the Throne and and British Empire, and ensuring the adequate defence of Australia.

The white Australia motif depicted on this badge was used in a variety of contexts in post-Federation Australia, including postage stamps and advertising. It reinforced the government's determination to create a white, predominantly British, population.
Description:: Enamelled shield shaped badge. The badge has a dark blue boarder with gold text. The centre of the badge is red with a white map of Australia

Discipline:	Numismatics
Dimensions:	13 mm (Height), 9 mm (Width)

Tagged with:	immigration, white australia policy, racism, immigration policies, badges, government policies, racial identity, immigration selection, bramkamp
Themes this item is part of:	Migration Collection, Numismatics & Philately Collection, Getting In, Immigration Museum Exhibition, 2003-2015
Primary Classification:	MIGRATION
Secondary Classification:	Community Activity
Tertiary Classification:	promotional materials
DateEra:	circa 1938 AD
Obverse Description:	Dark blue enamelled boarder with gold text PROTECT AUSTRALIA LEAGUE. Centre of the badge is red enamel with the initials P.A.L. above a white enamelled map of Australia
Inscriptions:	On front of badge: PAL / PROTECT / AUSTRALIA / LEAGUE
Issued By:	Protect Australia League, Australia, circa 1938
Place & Date Used:	Australia, circa 1938
References:	'Policy of New League', The Argus, 13 March 1939, p8.