Australian Red Cross

A branch of British Red Cross was established in Australia in 1914, nine days after the start of World War I, by Lady Helen Munro Ferguson.

The organisation grew at a rapid rate. Lady Helen wrote to the mayors of every shire and municipality in Australia asking them to initiate a local branch. Typically, a letter was published in the local newspaper and a meeting called. By November 1914, New South Wales had 88 city or suburban branches and 249 country branches, all established within the previous four months. The Society was accepted by the community from the beginning. Much of the World War I home front activities such as knitting socks and rolling bandages were done by local Red Cross branches. The Red Cross Information Bureau was established in 1915 in order to coordinate information gathered on the dead and their burial beyond what was provided by the armed forces. The Red Cross Wounded and Missing files were extensive with searchers sometimes sent overseas to clarify information, make better judgements and resolve conflicting accounts. In 1916 Australian Red Cross Society sent a team of 21 civilian nurses to France; these nurses were dubbed the "Bluebirds" in reference to the colours of their specially designed uniforms.

From the establishment of the Repatriation Commission Outpatient Clinic at 310 St Kilda Rd, Southbank, in 1937, Red Cross maintained the canteen staffed by up to 25 volunteers. The canteen provided tea, coffee, biscuits and company for between 200 and 250 veterans each day waiting their appointments.

In 1939 there were bushfires, and in addition another world war seemed very likely. Lilian Avis Scantlebury assisted the organisation's development so it could deal with emergencies, whether of natural or man-made causes. Scantlebury became a vice-president during World War II. The Red Cross provided assistance to the sick, wounded, and maimed and their dependants. By agreement with the federal government they provided hostel accommodation to those with no living relatives or friends to support them upon returning home from war. At the time the majority of the volunteers were unemployed married women. High rates of membership in the organisation were attributed to their annual national recruitment drive.

The British Red Cross Australian Branch changed its name to Australian Red Cross Society and was incorporated by royal charter on 28 June 1941. Membership grew from 260,000 in 1941 to 450,000 in 1944. Australian Red Cross proved to be an important link between the public and Japanese prisoners of war.

In 2005, the organisation made an agreement with the Maldives Government to help clear debris created by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. In December 2010, aid workers from Australian Red Cross were sent to Christmas Island to assist the survivors of the 2010 Christmas Island boat disaster. Australian Red Cross volunteers were also active after Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, the Ash Wednesday bushfires, the Black Saturday bushfires and the 2010–11 Queensland floods.

In 2013, Australian Red Cross was a recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards.