We all need to feel as if we belong to something; it is a primeval urge which is written into our DNA. Belonging to our family is its most basic and long may the family continue to thrive. But as we grow and develop we develop and nurture affiliations. Sports clubs, the various branches of the armed forces, public organisations and political parties are just a few examples. Do you belong to a club or organisation in Australia and if so, how proud are you and do you display the fact?
The pride of belonging
Australia is a young country by any standard and yet is one of the leading sporting nations in the world. Belonging to a football club, swimming club, cricket club or having been a competitor in an ‘ironman’ competition is a source of pride for many Australian men, women and children. Even those Australians who are living overseas never forget their roots and affiliations. It is perhaps little wonder than that many Australians wear pins as a show of their affiliation, their affection for and pride in belonging. It is also a shining beacon to show other Australians they are there.
It has often been said that ‘pride’ is one of the seven deadly sins although having pride in achievement doesn’t really rate as a deadly sin in my book. And what about all the men and women down the years all of whom have served their country in one or other branches of the armed forces? To them, wearing pins is a mark of their dedication to their country, their fellow service men and women and of course, often times a silent, personal remembrance to those friends and colleagues they have lost down the years.
Identity
As someone who wears a lapel badge depicting a certain English premier league football club, it isn’t just people who are members of a club or organisation that have sole rights to wearing a badge. As a for instance supporters of football clubs and many other sporting associations wear a ‘badge of belonging’ with pride.
At a coming together of people such as a reunion many years down the line a lapel badge lets every other person attending know what (and when) you belonged to and if they know the badge will probably recognise the fact they were probably there too.
Break the ice fast
Wearing a lapel badge is much like wearing a big neon sign letting the world knows who, what, when, where and how you served, played or acted with honour, supported or support. As an ice breaker at functions it is much better than wearing a solitary name badge.
In my experience Australians are a pretty passionate bunch of people in everything they do. Wearing a lapel badge is merely a show of that passion and affection for something they once (maybe still are) were part of and passionately supported.
If you belong to an organisation or club or indeed are an affiliate and do not yet have a customised pin to wear, you really should sort it out today as a matter of pride, distinction and sense of belonging.
Sachin is a freelance writer and blogger. He is proud that in a past life he dedicated several years of his life to serving his country. As a reminder of that time he has a collection of custom made lapel pins as well as Lapel badges dedicated to the various ships and units he served in.
