General News
8 May, 2025
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
On Thursday, 8 May members of the Gilgandra Branch of Australian Red Cross will be quietly celebrating, with people around the world, the birth of Henri Dunant.
Henri founded the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement in 1863 and was also the first person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.
What does Red Cross do?
Australian Red Cross is a volunteer based organisation that exists to reduce human suffering.
With 110 years of experience and a community of 20,000+ members and volunteers, we act locally and connect globally to deliver what’s needed, when it’s needed most.
We provide emergency relief, community services, migration support, first aid training and aid in both Australia and overseas. We work to alleviate suffering and improve the lives of vulnerable people by addressing crises, promoting health and wellbeing and advocating for vulnerable populations.
In disasters big and small wherever the Red Cross works, to prevent and relieve suffering, the Red Cross emblem communicates that assistance is being provided by Red Cross in keeping with the fundamental principles of the global Red Cross Movement of humanity, independence, neutrality, unity and impartiality,
Over past months Red Cross emergency response team members and volunteers were, and are still, assisting in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Queensland and NSW.
In addition to supporting evacuation centres, recovery hubs and outreach locations, psychosocial support continues to be provided. We have also seen the familiar Red Cross emblem on uniforms where Israeli hostage were released and our trauma teddies being handed out to refugees when arriving in Australia.
In 2024, the Gilgandra branch celebrated the 110 year anniversary of Red Cross in Australia. Our branch was formed in 1914, lapsed in 1919, and was reformed in May 1930 so, this year we can claim to have supported ARC for 100 years – a mighty effort!
Although the branch lapsed the ladies continued to meet and work to make life easier for patients in the local hospital during the bad influenza epidemic of 1919 and other causes, however during that period they did not raise funds to forward to ARC.
Lifeblood is a very important part of Red Cross today and we are very proud of two locals who have contributed to this life saving service for many years – Chris Horan and Kerry Felstead, who we invited to our 110 year celebration in 2024.
Kerry advised, last week, he had now donated blood and plasma 325 times.
We are grateful to the Gilgandra community which has supported our branch so generously over the years.
