Australian National Museum of Education
Building 5, Level A, Room 5A4
University of Canberra
anme@canberra.edu.au
+61 02 6201 2473
01/09/2022 |
News Spring 2022
Gould League of Bird Lovers
The ANME has recently set up an interesting display of items related to the Gould League of Bird Lovers which includes some rare documents and membership certificates. ANME Collections Manager, Coralie Amos OAM, has prepared the following article, which outlines aspects of the history of the Gould League of Bird Lovers and the organization’s role in Australian schools.
The Gould League of Bird Lovers was established in Victoria in 1909 by Jessie McMichael. In October 1910, teacher Edward Webster and Headmaster George Finnigan launched The Gould League of Bird Lovers at the Wellington Public School in New South Wales. The Gould League was devoted to bird protection, prevention of egg theft, the promotion of interest in and knowledge of birds and campaigning for the establishment of bird sanctuaries. It was named to honour the work of ornithologist John Gould and his wife Elizabeth, a naturalistic artist.
Large Certificates then coloured cards, then badges were issued to all children, who became members. The initial cost was a penny. Children were encouraged to participate by learning bird names and their calls, writing poems and essays, drawing and photographing birds and entering the competitions. Bird Day and Bird Week were held featuring bird call competitions, music, dance, puppetry, and the Gould League Pledge.
Contributed by Coralie Amos OAM
