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Victorian Trade Union Banners: a proud tradition - Origins
Before World War One the Eight Hour Day processions were the greatest annual celebrations in Australia. They originated with the triumphal march held on the 12 May 1856, to celebrate the gaining of the Eight Hour Day on 21 April 1856. For the march a special banner, 8 Hours Labour 8 Hours Recreation 8 Hours Rest was launched. The march went from the Carlton Gardens to the Cremorne Gardens in Richmond, 'shortly after 10 o'clock the procession, about 1,200 or 1,500 strong, preceded by the band, issued forth...supported by a Union Jack, with a golden figure of Eight on the spear end of the shaft.' The procession was followed by a dinner for 600-700, speeches, sports and other festivities including fireworks.
Processions were subsequently held annually and in 1879 the Victorian government declared the Eight Hour Day celebrations a public holiday. Workers marched with banners, floats and bands through Melbourne and country towns, watched by tens of thousands of people. The procession was traditionally led by the original 8 Hours Labour 8 Hours Recreation 8 Hours Rest banner, which survived until the 1970s.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 10) 13 items
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Banner - Australian Railways Union, Victorian Branch, circa 1911
Canvas banner painted about 1911 by John Hennessey of Carlton, Victoria. It was commissioned by the Victorian branch of the Australian Railways Union, and cost £100. This trade union ...
From: Carlton, Australia Images: 61 -
Banner - United Ironworkers' Assistants Society of Victoria, Ballarat Branch, 1890
Canvas banner painted in 1890 for the United Ironworkers' Assistants Society of Victoria, Ballarat Branch. Formed in 1886, the Ballarat Branch of the Ironworkers commissioned Kift & Smi ...
From: Ballarat, Australia Images: 8 -
Banner - Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Blacksmiths, Fitters, Patternmakers, Turners & ...
This canvas banner was painted in 1890 by Kift & Smith for the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Blacksmiths, Fitters, Patternmakers, Turners & Machinists, Ballarat Branch. It was inclu ...
From: Ballarat, Australia Images: 5 -
Banner - Australian Boot Trade Employees Federation, Ballarat Branch, circa 1905
This canvas banner was painted by Fred Spielvogel circa 1905 for the Australian Boot Trade Employees Federation, Ballarat Branch. On 5 March 1905 the Ballarat Eight Hours’ Day Organisi ...
From: Ballarat, Australia Images: 6 -
Banner - Manufacturing Grocers Employees Industrial Union of Victoria, circa 1911
This banner was created for the Manufacturing Grocers Employees Industrial Union of Victoria, circa 1911.
Images: 4 -
Banner - Australian Tramway Employees Association, Victorian Branch, 1916
This canvas banner was painted in 1916 by George Grant for the Australian Tramway Employees Association Victorian Branch.
Images: 6 -
No Image Available
Banner - Metal Trades Federation, Queensland Branch
This banner was created for the Metal Trades Federation, Queensland Branch.
Images: 0 -
Banner - Operative Painters & Decorators of Australasia, South Australian Branch
Painted canvas banner created for the Operative Painters & Decorators of Australasia, South Australian Branch.
From: Adelaide, Australia Images: 1 -
Banner - Operative Masons & Bricklayers of South Australia
Silk banner painted by G S Hislop of Adelaide for the Operative Masons & Bricklayers of South Australia.
From: Adelaide, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Banner - Seamen's Union of Australia
A green banner created for the Seamen's Union of Australia.
From: Sydney, Australia Images: 0
