Influenza Emergency Badge

Brass lapel badge, showing evidence of silvering on rev. 38mm x 24mm. c1919-1920. Maker: Amor, Sydney
Obv: INFLUENZA / EMERGENCY WORKER
Rev: blank

Workers badges were worn by members of quarantine stations & hospitals under the auspices of the Australian Influenza Administrative Committee. The Administrative Committee in Sydney for the Influenza ('Spanish Flu') epidemic in 1919 was located at the Sydney Showground, Moore Park and from here the 60 depots established in various municipalities were administered. Emergency worker volunteers were issued with this badge, although some were reluctant to be identified as having been in contact with infectious people.

In 1919 the Sydney Royal Easter Show was cancelled due to the influenza outbreak. One hundred years later, in 2020, the Show was cancelled again during the Covid 19 pandemic outbreak.