Badge, My Country First Protect Its Industries Buy Its Goods, Australia, 1930-1939
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1930-1939 AD
Note: This object includes elements appropriated from First Peoples culture and heritage, as well as white superiority messaging. Gilt and enamel badge inscribed 'MY COUNTRY FIRST ' on white map of Australia, and inscribed 'PROTECT ITS INDUSTRIES ' and 'BUY ITS GOODS' on boomerangs. Made by Stokes and Sons, Melbourne, circa 1930s.
The badge supports the protection of Australian industries, a common sentiment around the time of Federation and reflected in Commonwealth Government policy. It was possibly produced as part of the campaign by the Australian Natives' Association to promote Australia-made goods. The Australian Natives' Association was established in Melbourne in 1871 as a non-partisan and non-sectarian friendly society for Australian-born, white men seeking to shape Australia's nationhood and identity.
Gilt and enamel badge featuring six-pointed star-shaped with white map of mainland Australia in centre. Black boomerangs are positioned at top and bottom of star. Obverse: "MY COUNTRY FIRST " in gilt on white map of Australia, "PROTECT ITS INDUSTRIES " AND "BUY ITS GOODS" in gilt on boomerangs. Reverse: Stamped " STOKES & SONS / MELB" on reverse.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Gilt and enamel
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 30 mm (Length), 30 mm (Width), 7.11 g (Weight)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Stokes & Sons
- Place recorded
- Australia
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Obverse: 'MY COUNTRY FIRST' in gilt on white map of Australia. 'PROTECT ITS INDUSTRIES ' and 'BUY ITS GOODS' in gilt on boomerangs. Reverse: stamped 'STOKES & SONS / MELB'
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-146513
- Museum object name
- Badge - 'My Country First, Protect Its Industries, Buy Its Goods', Australia, 1930-1939
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- NU 42197
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.