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Victorian Trade Union Banners: a proud tradition - The Banners
Image: Banner - Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Blacksmiths, Fitters, Patternmakers, Turners & Machinists, Ballarat Branch, 1890
Source: Museum Victoria
Australian trade union banners only appeared in public for Eight Hour Day processions. This contrasts with their British counterparts, which were used in strikes and demonstrations supporting progressive causes.
While the original 8 Hour Day banner was made of bunting, most of the early trade union banners were either silk or calico. These were vulnerable to the weather, and many were reportedly destroyed by high winds, so from the 1980s more robust canvas banners became common.
Banners were mounted onto horse-drawn drays and later onto lorries, as they were too large and heavy to be carried by hand. Then from early in the 20th century, complicated frames were made so the banners could be lowered as they passed under the power and tram lines that were becoming part of the cityscape.
There were more than 200 Victorian banners made between 1856 to 1950, but only about a dozen survive. It is thought that many were burnt in a Collingwood fire in the mid 1960s.
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
