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The
badge worn by all members of the Returned & Services League
of Australia, is a symbol of readiness at all-time to render service
to Queen and country and to former comrades. It is a time-honoured
emblem - one that has been worn with a deep sense of pride by
the most revered in our land and one that glorifies the coats
of all privileged to wear it. No
wealth or influence can purchase the badge which may be worn only
by those who have served their country. The badge is in the form
of a shield and the shield is a protection to the wearer.
Although
there does not appear to be any official record regarding the
symbolism of the badge, the following seems to be the popular
concept regarding such symbolism. Whether the concept is correct
is unable to be verified, but it certainly may have some credibility
in perhaps being realistic and original.
The
badge is a symbol of a readiness at all times to render service
to Crown and country, and to former comrades. It is a time-honoured
emblem - one that has been worn with a deep sense of pride by
the most revered in our land and one that glorifies all privileged
to wear it. Neither
wealth, nor influence, nor social standing can purchase the badge,
which may be worn in honour only by those who have rendered service
in the armed forces of the Crown or its allies.
The
RSL Badge is dissected into seven integral parts, as follows:
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CROWN: |
On
top of the Badge is the crown, which has always been the symbol
of Royalty. It is also symbolic of Loyalty. Therefore, it
is symbolic of our allegiance to Royalty and of our Loyalty
to our Queen - our Nation - and the RSL. |
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| THE
SHIELD: |
The
Badge itself is in the shape of a Shield, which, from time
immemorial, has always been used for protection. The Shield,
therefore, is symbolic of the protection which the RSL gives
its members; widows; orphans; and dependants of those who
paid the supreme sacrifice and which the RSL accepts as its
responsibility to protect. |
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| THE
FIGURES: |
The
FOUR FIGURES in the centre of the Badge are symbolic of the
youthful forces, which have emblazoned Australia's Nationhood
across the World. They are also symbolic of that comradeship
of which we were all so proud during our war service and which
now continues amongst members of the League. If you look carefully
at the figures, you will see that they are marching shoulder
to shoulder, and are in step with each other, which reflects
their combined determination and unity of purpose. In unity
we have strength, and therefore the Figures are symbolic of
the solidarity and strength of the League. |
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| THE
CIRCLE: |
The
centre of the Badge is surrounded by a Circle. A Circle can
be described as unbroken continuity - and is symbolic of the
League's unbroken continuity of purpose. |
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| THE
COLOURS: |
There
are three colours in the Badge. The red represents the blood-tie
of war that exists between you and your comrades. White stands
for the purity of thought, motive and purpose to render service
without thought of personal gain or ambition. The blue indicates
your willingness to render that service to a comrade anywhere
under the blue-sky -wherever he may be. |
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THE
SPRIGS
OF WATTLE: |
In
the top left hand corner of the Badge are Sprigs of Wattle
which flower is the accepted National Emblem of Australia.
It, therefore, symbolises that the RSL is a National Organisation
and is National in its outlook. |
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THE
ROSE, LEEK, THISTLE &
SHAMROCK: |
These
are in the top right hand corner. These are the Emblems of
England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and symbolic of, and
represent the link with, these Countries. |
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The
seven integral parts referred to above make up the Badge as
a whole, which is symbolic of the ideals of Freedom, Justice
and Democracy.
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We ask that you look
upon your badge as an inspiration to good citizenship, cherishing
it as a symbol of all that is best in our national life and living
up to the high ideals on which the organisation is based.
The badge has evolved
as the League has evolved.
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1915 to 1919,
badges were state based Returned Soldiers Associations,
in 1916 a national Returned Soldiers Association badge appeared
and gradually replaced the state badges.
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By
1919 the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League badge
had evolved, after a reduction in size in 1922 it remained
in use until 1941.
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From
1941 until 1966 the Returned Sailors Soldiers and Airman's
Imperial League badge was used until a change of name in 1966
when the Returned Services League badge was introduced; with
a change of crown in 1971, the badge remained in use until
1990.
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In
1990, the present Returned & Services League badge was
introduced.
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The
Women's Auxiliary badge has remained structurally unchanged
since its inception in 1922, reflecting only the change of
initials of the League.
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The
changes to name and badge since 1916 reflect the nature of
the League and its ability to adapt to reflect stabilised
changes about it.
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In
1923, the 8th National Congress of the League, adopted the
Motto "The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance".
The motto and its significance is clearly reflected in League
policies on National Defence and support for the Australian
Defence Force. |
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