Advance Australian 15ct gold brooch by Willis & Sons Melbourne

A rare early period 'Austalian Souvenir' sweetheart brooch; hollow gold circlet with barley twist decoration, the centre depicting the earlier form of the Coat of Arms with 'Advance Australia' motto below; the reverse impressed "RD" "No263" with three marks in separate boxes "Unicorn" "15" (15 carat gold) and a "W" (Willis & Sons Pty Ltd, Melbourn). Very good condition, complete with original pin fittings.
Diameter 28mm.

The coat of arms of Australia were authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908 and bore the motto 'Advance Australia', updated version by King George V on 19 September 1912 with just the title 'Australia', the 1908 version continued to be used in some contexts.
Willis & Sons Pty Ltd, Melbourne were established in 1904 and closed 1931.