Community & Business
3 July, 2026
Gilgandra Red Cross Members Receive the Distinguished Service Award
Gilgandra Red Cross members, Elizabeth ‘Nan’ Nalder and Marjorie Josephs were recent recipients of the prestigious Distinguished Services Award.
Both ladies received recognition for the considerable time and dedication they have served to the Red Cross and the community.
Although the ceremony was meant to be held in Sydney, Nan and Marj wanted something a little closer and on Tuesday, June 23, Gilgandra Shire Council's mayor Doug Batten presented their awards.
Nan and Marj were surprised when they received the news that they had been awarded the medal, noting that helping people who needed it was always the goal.
“I didn't believe it,” Marj said.
“I didn't know much about the service award and I didn't do all that volunteer work to get an award. It just all happened and [my family] were very, very supportive and very proud to have a mother that achieved that,” she said.
“We do what we do because we want to help,” Nan said. “That's what it's all about, helping life for other people. It's wonderful to be able to do that and I've done it virtually all my life. If I can help somebody that's what I do,” she said.
Nan’s history with the Red Cross is considerable with her interest in the organisation stemming from watching her mother and grandmother's volunteer work.
Mayor Batten noted in his speech the fond memory Nan has of joining in on the ANZAC Day march as a young girl.
“Nan fondly recalls marching in ANZAC Day parades in full uniform, complete with the traditional white veil,” mayor Batten said.
“Nan settled in Curban and became an active member of the local Red Cross Branch…her contributions significant and deeply valued. When the branch closed in 1996, Elizabeth joined then joined the Gilgandra Red Cross Branch,” he said.
Along with holding roles like the president of the Gilgandra Red Cross from 2017 to 2021 and working as the publicity officer one of Nan’s most notable roles has been that of making Red Cross Trauma Teddies.
Trauma Teddies are small knitted stuffed teddy bears which are given to children in times of crisis or who are sick. It is said that Nan often turns up to meetings having finished up to three bears since the last.
When asked how many bears she had knitted, Nan couldn’t answer only to say that she had lost count of how many she had made but knits the bears in groups of three.
“Somebody asked me that the other day and I said I've been making them for years and years and years, I've got no idea of how many I’ve made,” Nan said.
“I try to make them look attractive more than anything so kids can pick it up and love it. That's what it amounts to, it's a little symbol of saying there's someone out there who cares,”
“Making the trauma teddies is very special to me and I'm making them for [those who need one] and I'll keep making the teddies for them,” said Nan.
Marj Josephs has been a dedicated and valued member of the Gilgandra Red Cross for 32 years.
She has played a key role in the group, serving as the president of the club for seven years, treasurer for six, and secretary for two. Regularly opening her home up to host meetings and functions. Through her years with Gilgandra Red Cross, Marj said the biggest lesson she learnt was to be helpful.
“To be helpful, volunteer and just do what you can,” Marj said. “I love the companionship, the friendship and support I get from the Red Cross and, I should say, the support was most important,” she said.
Marj took on the role of Trauma Teddy coordinator in 2015, working with knitters to ensure that the bears were safe and fit for the children they were going off to. Continuing to embrace the role even as her eyesight declined.
“Through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication, Marj has left an indelible
mark on the Gilgandra branch and the wider community. She truly embodies the spirit of the Red Cross,” mayor Batten said.
For Marj, volunteering is a way to give back and something she holds dear to her and is something she sees herself doing for a long while yet.
