Page 2167 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014
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Australian Red Cross—centenary
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (10.51): I am happy to support the motion before us, which recognises the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross movement in Australia, and to welcome members of the Red Cross in the gallery today. The International Red Cross has a unique place in our history. Born from the horrors of war, its stated aims are to reduce suffering and to ensure respect for all human beings. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are active in warzones and conflict areas across the world and are present at every major natural disaster and catastrophe. It is testament to its enduring nature that the Red Cross and Red Crescent symbols are instantly recognisable the world over as a sign of safety, neutrality, impartiality and universality.
The Red Cross for us represents health, medicine, support and refuge, regardless of where you see it, and that, too, is part of the ethos of the movement. It is because of its founder, Jean Henri Dunant, that we have an international Geneva convention, another widely recognised symbol of the basic humanity we all share, regardless of where we are and regardless of war and armed conflict. It is one of those curious things that it sometimes takes acts of barbarism and terror to bring out the best in humanity, and it was Henry Dunant’s experiences of the battlefield and the suffering and pain of unleashed violence that caused him to develop a new vision. It is the Red Cross that reminds governments and armed forces that even wars have laws—rules of engagement for armed conflict and soldiers and rules for the protection of innocents and civilians caught up in the terrible insanity that is war.
It was the outbreak of the First World War that galvanised Lady Helen Munro Ferguson to start an Australian branch of the British Red Cross. Australia was a very young country back then and still considered a child of the British Empire, taking our lead from a far distant London. As we commemorate the 100 years since that terrible war, we can also recognise how far our country has come since then. Here we are today, 100 years later, celebrating the work the Australian Red Cross does each day in our community.
From aged care to first aid, Red Cross plays a vital role in Canberra and the capital region, often working behind the scenes, a long way from the tragic headlines of global interest. The local chapter supports social inclusion and offers practical assistance to those in need. A powerful volunteer force works alongside paid staff to provide the MATES home and community care program that can assist people in overcoming loneliness and social isolation.
There is a renewed focus on working with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as partners in employment and training services. I am sure nearly everyone here has, at some point in their lives, been trained in essential lifesaving first aid skills by the Red Cross. But their work in local community extends even further, to embrace many vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. They run budgeting and nutrition classes, hold breakfast clubs across 15 schools, and have for over 40 years provided meals on wheels to those who cannot shop or cook for themselves. Their youth engagement program provides opportunities for young people to get involved and be part of the largest humanitarian organisation in the world.
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