Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, wife of the sixth Governor General of Australia, established the Australian Red Cross as a branch of the British Red Cross, nine days after the start of the First World War in July 1914. The organisation grew rapidly. 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 was called.

By November 1914 Australia had 88 city or suburban branches and 249 country branches, all established within the previous four months. One of these branches was in Gerringong. Minutes of the first meeting show that on Wednesday afternoon August 19, 1914 twenty one local ladies met and formed a working committee of the Red Cross society. Mrs W Nelson was elected first president, Mrs Noble was elected treasurer, and Miss Hall secretary.  

Gerringong is one of a small number of branches that has operated continuously since then. A certificate of appreciation was recently presented to the Gerringong branch by the Australian Red Cross.

We are currently a small but enthusiastic group, well known for our Devonshire tea stalls at the Gerringong Rotary markets held on the third Saturday of each month in the Gerringong Town Hall.

Would you like to join us? We hold meetings on the first Friday of each month at 1.00 pm in the Gerringong RSL Hall and welcome new members and visitors. Contact Ann on 0412 011 352 for all enquiries.