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
