Golden Belt Buckles

By Neale Towart

Belt Buckles have been made mainly by the Miners’ Federation and the MCFMEU Mining and Energy Division on amalgamation. In a highly visible manner they commemorate disputes on coalfields across Australia, the founding of union lodges (branches) in various coalfields and significant mine disasters. The union makes lapel badges as well but the use of ornamental belt buckles has been popular in this union. Unions in the USA are the only other examples of such trade union wear that we know of. Usually plated in gold and/or silver, the community solidarity that has long been a part of coalmining union history and culture is writ large on these buckles.