Certificates

Sometimes there was a conection between a union's certificates and its banners. The Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Victorian District design comes from a British certificate of 1866 and was widely used, with minor alterations, in Melbourne, Sydney, Kalgoorlie and Wellington banners.

Images

A - Heraldic symbols appear alongside Australian references on the life membership certificate issued to Mr A de Vere, Operative Painters’ and Decorators’ Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch, 22 July 1929.

Source: Labour Council of New South Wales - Building Trades Group of Unions, Z431/8

B - Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners certificate

A close relationship sometimes existed between union certificates and their banners. The Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners design comes from a British certificate of 1868 and was widely used, with minor alterations, in both the Melbourne and Sydney banners.

The design comes from a British certificate designed in 1868 by William Warby. It illustrates many aspects of the work of carpenters and joiners, including bridge building, education, and house construction. Saint Joseph, given prominence as a significant carpenter, is seated above the Society's coat of arms, granted to the London Guild in 1466. This illustrative device was widely used, with minor alterations, on Carpenters' and Joiners' banners in Brisbane, Kalgoorlie, Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand.

Source: Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners of Australia, T24/22 (K4024)

C - Eight Hours and Labor Demonstration Committee, Sydney 60th anniversary certificate presented to the Stove & Piano Frame Moulders & Stovemakers Employees’ Union, 1915 (Artist: Edgar Whitbread, ca. 1915)

Source: Sheet Metal Working Agricultural Implement & Stove Making Industrial Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch, E196/20/11 (K4109)

D - Presentation certificate. Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Millwrights, Smiths and Pattern Makers

Designed by James Sharples to mark the formation of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, in England, in 1851, the emblem on this certificate links the industrial pride of skilled tradesmen to a broader vision of social purpose. Two kneeling figures enact the parable of the sticks and cameo portraits of inventors Samuel Crompton, James Watt and Sir Richard Arkwright are invoked as founding fathers ‘whose inventive genius has laid the foundation of the new age of plenty and the technological advance of mankind’. The blacksmith on the left rejects the solicitations of Mars, the God of War, to repair his sword, whilst an engineer, on the right, accepts a design of the universe from Clio, the muse of music, poetry, science and art.

Source: Amalgamated Engineering Union, N24/848; T61/6

E - New South Wales Operative Bakers’ Association membership certificate

The imagery includes three interlaced eights symbolising the number of hours each of Labour, Recreation and Rest that constitute a fair working day. This message is emphasised in cameo windows that show cherubs reading, a beehive and a cherub reclining.

Source: Baking Trade Employees’ Federation of Australia, T13/39