A Tribute in Fur and Stitch

What began as a single purchase at the local post office has grown into a collection that now fills Clare Dawson’s shelves with Australian military bears. From Private Murray to rare limited editions, Clare’s collection is more than a hobby. It is a tribute to service, remembrance, and the stories that connect past and present.

Clare still remembers the day she bought her first bear.

“The first one I bought was Private Murray, from an Australia Post Office,” she said. “I never intended to collect so many, but over the years some were gifted to me, and then I decided I had to get the sets.”

For Clare, Private Murray was not just a bear in uniform. He was a reminder of the sacrifices made by the ANZACs and the Australian Defence Force. That spark soon grew into a passion, and before long her shelves began filling with bears representing different eras and services.
“All Australian military bears are welcome in my house,” she laughed. “If I see one I don’t have, it inevitably ends up in my collection.”

Every bear has a story, but one stands out above the rest.

“They are all special to me, but one in particular took me years to acquire, which was the Limited Edition ANZAC Digger. I missed out when they were first released. My partner finally surprised me with him on Christmas Day last year, after years of hunting for him.”

While many of the bears remain carefully in their original packaging, Clare admits displaying them is a challenge. “They are hard to get display cabinets for, as there are lots of different sizes in the collection,” she explained. For now, the bears stand proudly on bookshelves, each one a reminder of honour and sacrifice.

That sense of meaning is at the heart of her collection. Clare’s father served in the Australian Army, and her partner currently serves in the RAAF. The bears are both personal and symbolic, sparking conversations whenever visitors see them.

“The bears always get attention when people visit,” she said. “It leads to conversations about ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, the sacrifice and sadness of war, and our current Defence Force.”

For Clare, the joy of collecting comes not only from the bears themselves but also from the stories they carry. Her advice to new collectors is simple: patience and persistence.

“If anyone is thinking of starting their own collection, be prepared to spend years looking for particular bears. The more limited they are, the less likelihood you have of finding them quickly. They do bring so much joy though, so it’s all worth it when that little face peers up at you from the parcel when they arrive. Happy Bear Hunting.”

The Great War Bears

Among the most famous military teddy bear collections are the Great War Bears. Released during the Centenary of Anzac, many of these bears are now completely sold out, treasured by collectors like Clare. Only one remains available today: Ltd Ed Lieut. Albert Murray – The Western Front Bear, with just 58 bears still in stock.

The Great War Bears were also at the heart of the Bears to School Program, which introduced a new generation of children to Australia’s Great War history while raising awareness and funds for military and veterans’ organisations during the Centenary and beyond.

Other Beloved Collections

Clare’s shelves also include Cuddly Service Bears, each dressed in authentic uniforms representing different branches of the Defence Force, and the playful Little Aussie Bears, who bring a touch of mateship and spirit to any collection.

You can also find four of the plush toys from the Purple Poppy Collection. 

Together, these bears and plush toys embody remembrance, pride, and connection across generations. 

The new limited edition Valour Bear WWI Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Private William (Billy) Bailey will soon find its place on Clare's collection.

Clare is also waiting on her new Fuzzy Budz bears collection that she has placed on pre-order.