Badge, Vietnam Moratorium, Australia, 1970

Alternative Name(s): Button Circular yellow badge inscribed 'VIETNAM MORATORIUM'. The donor considers herself a social rather than a political activist. She was strongly opposed to the Vietnam War, and attended moratorium marches in Melbourne. The Vietnam moratoriums took place across Australia in May 1970, June 1971 and September 1971.

The organisers espoused a non-violent philosophy of stopping work and sitting-in; aiming to bring change by upsetting the everyday working of society. Seeking a withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam and an end to conscription, they were the largest public demonstrations in Australia's history at the time. Across Australia a total of 200,000 people took part in the First Moratorium, with the largest event in Melbourne where 70,000 marched peacefully down Bourke Street. Unlike earlier anti-war protests, the moratoriums drew in teachers, unions, clergy, politicians, and thousands of everyday, middle-class Australians.

Australia's military involvement in the Vietnam War is one of the longest of any war in Australia's history. Lasting from August 1962 until May 1975 nearly 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam. A total of 521 Australians died, of whom 200 were conscripted. Conscription caused vehement debate in the Australian community, with huge protest rallies in the capital cities. Conscription was abolished on 5 December 1972 by a new Labor government, led by Gough Whitlam. Circular yellow badge with black inscription. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with wire wound around inner lip of badge to form pin fastener.