On 13 August 1914, nine days after the outbreak of the First World War, Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, the wife of the Governor-General, formed the first Australian Red Cross branch. 110 years later, Australian Red Cross continues to act locally and connect globally to deliver what’s needed, when and where it’s needed most.
The chimney on the Powerhouse at The Foundations was lit up red in celebration of this milestone and to recognise the long history of Red Cross in our local region.
The Lithgow branch of the Red Cross has been in operation for 88 years.
A morning tea was held at Lithgow Library on Tuesday to celebrate the occasion.
A huge thank you to all our local Red Cross volunteers and members for the work they continue to do in our community
The history of Red Cross in Lithgow
During World War II, the Lithgow branch played an active role in knitting socks and preparing other comfort items for soldiers. A depot was set up on Main Street to manage these activities, and the branch was heavily involved in fundraising to support these efforts. Members of the community, including local families, were encouraged to contribute regularly to support these initiatives, highlighting a strong sense of local solidarity and patriotism. *
The branch’s activities weren’t limited to knitting; they also organised fundraising events like cabaret dances and street collections to gather funds for their ongoing work. By 1942, the branch was involved in the Prisoner-of-War Adoption Scheme, where local residents were encouraged to financially support Australian soldiers who were held captive, ensuring that they received necessary supplies while in enemy hands. *
* Information from Trove (https://trove.nla.gov.au)
