Radio club badges and pins

6 radio club badges and pins from the 1940s and 1950s. 
Part of the Children's Literature Research Collection.

'Maxam Cheese Club' Maisie badge, ca. 1950s(2.5cm). Maisie the Maxam cheese cow promoted processed Maxam cheese, manufactured in Queensland. The cheese needed no refrigeration, so could be easily transported for sale around Australia.

'Willie Weeties Club' cereal club button/badge, ca 1930s(2.5cm). Illustration of King Willie, a regal wheat kernel holding a box of Weeties breakfast cereal.

'5KA Smilers' Club' pin, ca. 1939(2cm). Enamel lapel or hat pin in green and blue. A club related to 2HB Radio, Broken Hill.

'Charlie Cheesecake' cycling club badge, ca. 1947(2cm). Charlie Cheesecake was a character on Bob Fricker's 5AD radio program which taught children about road and general safety. The character developed from a South Australian children's picture storybook, 'The adventures of Charlie Cheesecake', published by the Child Safety Council, created by South Australian artist, Marjorie Hann.

'The Dog House Club, 1954'(1.5cm). Pin is an illustration of a hound-like dog in red and black enamel. Issued for members of the radio 5AD Dog House Club. Purchase of the badges and pins and other club activities assisted in seeking donations for the Adelaide Children's hospital. Donations were 'read out' on the radio, no matter how small.

'Charlie Chuckles Club' pin, ca. 1940s(1.5cm). Pin is in the shape of a kookaburra's head with red enamel semi-circular surround. Pin is based on a character related to a children's radio club, on station 2KO and 2AD, during which Sunday comics were 'read out' on air.

Children joined various radio station clubs and collected badges, pins and certificates as they would stamps or marbles. The clubs gave children access to funny stories and comics, other children's messages and letters, and provided a sense of inclusion and camraderie, particularly during the years of World War II.

See also Children's club badges from the late 1980s - 1992.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

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