Community & Business
8 December, 2025
Red Cross quietly celebrates more than a century of service
The Gilgandra Branch of Red Cross has been serving the district since 1914.
By Shirley Marks, Gilgandra Red Cross
A branch of the Red Cross Society was formed in Gilgandra in 1914 with Mrs C Douglas-Hardy as the original president and Mesdames Henry Peet and A.F. Garling as joint secretaries.
Immediately the many voluntary helpers started knitting, sewing, cooking and in all ways assisting in the interest of the fighting forces during the war years of 1914 to 1918 and beyond.
During the bad influenza epidemic of 1919, local Red Cross members made nurses clothing, gauze masks, pyjamas and night gowns as well as assisting at the local hospital with nursing duties, cooking, cleaning and doing the laundry.
When this demand eased the branch became less active and eventually lapsed in 1919 however, still the work of Red Cross was carried on from the home of Mrs Frank Varcoe.
Following a visit from the assistant commissioner for Red Cross branches, Major T. L. Murray, in May 1930, the branch was re-formed and had its first meeting on July 7, 1930.
At this meeting Mrs Dorothy Varcoe was elected president, an office which she held until 1956 when she left the town to reside in Armatree. The branch then elected Mrs Varcoe as its patron.
As well as working for the alleviation of suffering throughout the world, Gilgandra Red Cross members manned the afternoon tea rooms at the War Memorial Literary Institute for many years and it was from here they worked day and night to provide sustenance to the fire-fighters and help for victims of the disastrous bushfires of 1951 and 1952. During the flood of 1955 these rooms were flooded but members of the branch, many flood victims themselves, continued to work for Red Cross and handed out food and clothing from temporary premises.
Over the years the Gilgandra branch has worked tirelessly to raise money for Red Cross. Many ways of fundraising have been undertaken including catering for various functions, raffles, street stalls, garden parties, fashion parades and a debutante ball.
The many presidents, who ideally may only serve a three-year term, have all worked unselfishly with their devoted members to the serve the community in many ways, such as assistance with the life saving Blood Bank, Meals on Wheels, visiting the hospital and private homes of elderly people, providing medical equipment for convalescent cases, helping families who had losses with fire and floods and, at one time, assisting victims of car accidents when people were stranded far from their own homes they are welcomed into the homes of local Red Cross members.
In this regard Red Cross had a close liaison with the police, ambulance, hospital, and doctors of the town.
As times and membership numbers change different activities were undertaken. From 1958 members served a welcome morning tea then a light luncheon on ANZAC Day, this has now been replaced with morning tea provided by Gilgandra Country Women's Association.
When the Red Cross branch held a number of street stalls, flowers were offered and arranged for Mother’s Day by many community members.
Goods were donated by many people for sale on stalls, and high school students baked, then assisted members with sales of their special decorated cupcakes. This was a wonderful period working with the younger people while they were gaining valuable experience dealing with the public and encouraging people to purchase their enjoyable product.
In 2014 Australian Red Cross celebrated 100 years and the local branch held a special display at the Coo-ee Heritage Centre, where Red Cross and local government dignitaries, other Red Cross branch members, community members and friends shared a special afternoon tea to celebrate this momentous occasion.
Late member, Joyce Wise, BEM cut the birthday cake and our book ‘Celebrate and Reminisce with Gilgandra Branch of Australian Red Cross’ was launched. A number of local businesses contributed to the publication of this book produced by Gilgandra Newspapers Pty Ltd.
Since then we have continued to hold a Winter Appeal each year which has been supported by our loyal contributors, held various raffles and other small fundraising functions. We have provided emergency supplies to the local multi-purpose health service and small gifts to those who are in hospital at Christmas time.
Some of our members continue with hand care at Coo-ee Lodge, though not under the Red Cross banner, as this service too has changed.
Trauma Teddies are knitted by members and are distributed to various organisations and schools around Gilgandra and are always welcomed.
In 2024, the 110 anniversary of Australian Red Cross a morning tea was held at the Coo-ee Heritage Centre and our special guests were Chris Horan and Kerry Felstead, who have been consistent blood and plasma donors over many, many years.
Over the years the question has been asked - "why does so much money have to be sent out of the district?"
This was answered by the president in 1960 - "No organisation as large as Red Cross could operate successfully unless it was controlled from one central point and it is only by the loyalty and support of each Branch that Red Cross continues to function for the good of so many".
This continues to be true today, with the needs of our own country in times of flood, fire and other disasters there are always members and volunteers of Red Cross to help and comfort. With unrest in so many countries it is vital that Red Cross people can be permitted to assist and reassure those affected by conflicts. Red Cross will always be there to help people in need, whether it be through volunteers or specialist staff.
Though our numbers are small now, we appreciate very much the wonderful support we have received from Gilgandra and district in our endeavours to uphold all that Red Cross means to so many. Thank you.
