Patrick Australia has been operating out of Melbourne for over 80-years.

The Patrick Name is associated back to the early 1900's in Australia when 5 brothers pioneered the button badge business in Australia.

Patrick Australia (the Melbourne site) started over 80 years ago, when the Patrick Brothers purchased an industrial property that was situated on Drewery Lane, Melbourne. 

It begun life as a photography studio, but with a bit of a twist, they would mount the photos onto badges. Over the years they developed the badge side of company and the Patrick Family were the first to design and produce the “one-piece badge,” which is a single piece of tin wrapped around with the pin on top.

During the war times when materials couldnt be sourced from Japan they had to be reproduced locally, so Patrick’s began using plastic moulds for ping pong balls, kupi dolls and all sorts. The war brought on lots of need for badges to both support and oppose the war. Conscription badges can be found the Melbourne Museum, along with various historic appeals over the years such as Aboriginal rights.

In the 70s Patrick’s moved to the giant warehouse in North Melbourne. In the archives of badges produced over the years are all the great sportsmen, like Bradman and the entire 1940s cricket team, through to famous Aussie slogans like Give Gough A Go and many of the iconic badges that are hotly sought after today as collectibles – ABBA, KISS, Star Wars, AFL and more!

Today Patrick Australia is run by John Patrick, the grandson of its founder. John took over the business in the 90s when his father was no longer able to run to business due to his health.

He is one of the nicest guys you’re likely to meet. The Willy Wonka of the badge world.