While small in numbers, the members of Gresford Red Cross are still determined to help the organisation celebrate their centenary this year.
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Red Cross began on August 13, 2014, nine days after the outbreak of World War 1.
Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson, wife of the Governor-General, formed a branch of the British Red Cross at Government House in Melbourne, calling for volunteers to assist with the production of comfort parcels for soldiers.
Very quickly Red Cross became the premier wartime voluntary charity, especially appealing to Australian women across the nation.
The post-war period saw reconstruction and regeneration that focused on social welfare, national emergencies, natural disasters such as floods and bushfires, development of the blood service and first aid programs.
This year the Gresford branch also celebrates its centenary.
President Margot Capp said there was a break in the 1920s and again in 1939, but the branch has been going strong since then.
Mrs Capp has been a member for nearly 60 years, since she moved to Gresford in 1955.
She has been one of the stalwarts of the club and still does Red Cross Calling, driving around the Gresford district to collect money for the organisation.
“We only have eight members and many are not in good health,” she said.
“It was only a couple of weeks ago I presented Jill Collison with a laurel wreath to celebrate her 50 years with the Gresford branch.
“Originally we would have a stall every month when we had 40 or so members, but now it has dropped down to two or three a year.
“Now we play hoi monthly where we average $50.
“This adds up with the $300 or so from Red Cross Calling and we donate roughly $1000 a year to head office.”
As part of the group’s fundraiser for the organisation’s centenary, the Gresford branch joined with others in the zone to contribute a square for a quilt to raffle.
“There are 10 branches in the zone so we had nine squares for the hand-made quilt and one from which a cushion was made,” Mrs Capp said.
“Every branch will have a fundraiser for the centenary and ours will be at the Billy Cart Derby to be held in Gresford on Easter Saturday.
“We will be selling tickets for the quilt which will be drawn later in the year.”
Members of the Gresford branch are president Margot Capp, secretary Terese Osmond, treasurer Jill Collison, vice presidents Phyllis Draper and Alma Landers and members Ruth Gillespie, Jess Osmond, Linda Joliffe and Alice Herbert.