Page 2165 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014
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In 1914, support for the Red Cross was overwhelming and hundreds of thousands of volunteers signed up during World War I. In New South Wales alone, more than 300 branches were created in the first three months. By World War II, Red Cross had become Australia’s largest charitable organisation. From a population of seven million, nearly half a million people were Red Cross members. Most of them were women.
In the postwar period Red Cross focused on social welfare, national emergencies, natural disasters, the blood service and first-aid programs, sustained by an extensive network of thousands of volunteers. The Red Cross is Australia’s largest humanitarian charity with a broad national reach and strong links in our region.
This centenary represents a major achievement for Red Cross, and a significant milestone in the social history of Australia. It is extraordinary that most Australians have shared a personal connection with the Red Cross since 1914. It is the leading global and local independent humanitarian organisation, and holds a significant place as one of Australia’s most trusted and respected charities.
With a broad national reach of over 80 offices, the Red Cross can mobilise more than 30,000 highly skilled volunteers and staff to deliver a diverse range of programs in emergency services, social services, community development, overseas aid programs, first aid and the blood service.
The Australian Red Cross is at once a local organisation and an international one. Its services are simple and are complex, as are the challenges that people in need face. In our Canberra community, for those suffering or oppressed and who seek a voice, the Red Cross is there for those in need, regardless of nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. They are impartial, neutral and independent. The Australian Red Cross in Canberra provides services that can be as simple as a phone call to an elderly person living alone or the provision of breakfast for a child who is missing out.
Red Cross’s first Canberra services were to socially isolated Canberrans across the territory through the telecross program, providing older isolated Australians with a daily phone call to check on their safety and wellbeing. It is fantastic to see that in 2014 the telecross program continues to operate with the support of community volunteers from the Red Cross call centre in Garran.
The Red Cross runs a number of programs, including the MATES program, which assists socially isolated people and particularly older people to re-connect with the community through regular contact with Red Cross volunteers. The community visitors scheme aims to enhance the quality of life of people living in aged care facilities. Volunteers provide regular visits to socially isolated residents for highly valued companionship and friendship.
The telechat program matches people living in the community who may be experiencing social isolation with a volunteer who calls them once or twice a week for a social chat. Personal alarms is a service that assists people at risk of an accident or sudden illness, wandering due to old age, ill health or disability by providing eligible people with personal alarms.
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