A timeline of Australian Red Cross

1914

Australian Branch of the British Red Cross Society formed on outbreak of First World War

1915

Formation of Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureaux and national scheme for Voluntary Aid Detachments

1918

Junior Red Cross formally established in Australia built on earlier efforts in NSW

1920

Foundation President Lady Helen Munro Ferguson leaves Australia

1927

Australia recognised as a national society in its own right by International Committee of the Red Cross

1929

Beginning of Blood Transfusion Service in Victoria

1939

Outbreak of Second World War. Australian Red Cross mobilises

1941

Australian Red Cross Society incorporated by Royal Charter

1941

Social Welfare Services expands to meet wartime needs. The focus is on rehabilitation for ex-servicemen, women and their families

1942

Prisoners of war become Australian Red Cross' number one priority

1944

Australian Red Cross membership reaches around 450,000

1950

Australian Red Cross Field Force in Japan with BCOF and assisting with Korean War

1955

Worst floods on record devastate NSW. Red Cross responds

1955

Commonwealth government joins states and assists with funding for Red Cross Blood Transfusion Services

1958

Australian government ratifies four Geneva Conventions

1964

Australian Red Cross celebrates 50 years

1974

Cyclone Tracy destroys Darwin, NT. Australian Red Cross is there

1989

National Youth Camp held to refocus on youth

1989

75th anniversary of Australian Red Cross

1983

Ash Wednesday Bushfires in Victoria and South Australia

1989

Australian Red Cross formulates national policy on AIDS

1991

Australian government ratifies 1977 Additional Protocols

1991

Appointment of International Humanitarian Law Divisional Officers

1993

Australian Red Cross begins working with Federal government on Asylum Seeker Assistance scheme

1996

Formation of Australian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service

2002

Bali bombing. Australian Red Cross Bali Appeal launched

2004

Tsunamis and earthquakes devastate Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Australian Red Cross in action

2007

Endorsement of statement "The Power of Humanity"

2007

Expansion of programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

2009

Black Saturday bushfires. Red Cross involved with Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund that raised more than $379 million.

2010

Revised Royal Charter and Rules approved by Governor-General

2010

Haiti earthquake. Australian Red Cross ran an appeal and assisted international movement

2011

Queensland floods. Red Cross on the ground from 27 December 2010

2011

Australian Red Cross' Target Nuclear Weapons campaign; resolution adopted by governing body of IRCRC movement

2013

Australian Red Cross hosts 19th General Assembly of International Federation and Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, Sydney

2014

Australian Red Cross turns 100.

2015

Bushfires WA, VIC, SA & Tas

2016

Helped launch The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, a new partnership between emergency management organisations

2017

The national op shop network had a record year, raising $5.5 million to support Red Cross programs

2018

Tathra bushfires: Bega Relief Centre supports community

2019

Townsville floods: more than 10,000 outreach phone calls

2020

Black Summer Bushfire: Appeal launched & short- & long-term recovery activities established

2020

Covid-19 Pandemic relief efforts to 100s of thousands with through phone calls, wellness checks, emergency grants, food packages

2021

Covid-19 Pandemic relief continues with essential supply deliveries, financial and psychosocial support during lockdown and those in social isolation

2021

Floods in NSW and Victoria, fires in WA and SA and WA’s Cyclone Seroja - relief and recovery activities established for all

2022

Connected Women Program Cookbook released

2022

QLD & NSW floods. Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal partners with Channels 7, 9 & 10 for a live on-air telethon

2023

Migration Support Team deliver Support for Trafficked People Program – meeting health and welfare needs for those recovering from their trafficking experience

2024

Australian Red Cross turns 110

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