Even before the first world war, a high mortality rate from disease, accident and death during infancy meant that Australians were familiar with mourning black.
During a period of mourning, for example after the death of a public figure or after a disaster, it was customary for public buildings to be draped in black and purple, and for both personal and public notepaper and letters to be bordered in black. People would wear black to observe the deaths of family and friends, as well as at the funerals of public figures.
