Newsletter for Members and Volunteers, JULY 2014

Newsletter for Members and Volunteers ISSUE 1 ▪ 2014 ▪ NT

THE + PLUS EFFECT What you didn’t know about volunteering COMING OUT SWINGING How a trapeze artist triumphed over debt

SHOP WITH US

Introducing our centenary memorabilia

In FOCUS A message from the President and CEO In just under a month we will mark the exact day that, 100 years ago, the first Australian meeting of Red Cross was held. After that first meeting in Melbourne, a vast humanitarian army rose right across Australia, producing comfort items for our troops, caring for the wounded and helping their families back home.

On Founding Day (13 August) we will commemorate our Centenary by releasing the official history of Red Cross in Australia—Professor Melanie Oppenheimer’s book The Power of Humanity. Professor Oppenheimer is a Professor of History at Flinders University and has spent the last couple of years researching Red Cross, from our founding in war to our vast work in helping vulnerable people today. Her book is sure to be a fascinating read and will be available for purchase from our Centenary Shop, centenaryshop.redcross.org.au.

We are proud to welcome Channel 7 as our official centenary partner—you may have seen some recentlybroadcasted TV promotions celebrating our Centenary.

Another valued business partner is Bunnings, who will be hosting a national BBQ Day and fundraiser for Red Cross on 9 August. We hope you’ll be able to join in and maybe even volunteer at your local Bunnings store on the day.

We were inspired to see so many Red Cross people right across Australia celebrating World Red Cross Red Crescent Day on and around 8 May. Our centenary film, ‘A Great Australian Story’, screened around the country and moved guests in its depiction of how we’ve been there through wars, disasters and personal crises. Be sure to view this tribute to the millions of people, past and present who are part of our great Australian story on our YouTube page—youtube.com/AustralianRedCross.

Many Red Cross people also received special recognition for their dedication and commitment at functions nationwide, and we extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to these supporters.

We are always working to create a great environment for our volunteers, which is why we recently launched The + Plus Effect, our Voluntary Service Campaign. We all know volunteers are priceless, but it’s lesser known that their contribution is valued at up to $200 billion a year, adding up to more than the mining industry! Yet

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BAKE up a STORM This year’s Big Cake Bake is building up to be tastier than ever as we blow out the candles for Red Cross in Australia’s 100th anniversary. While the event officially takes place on Monday 25 August, anyone can join in and raise vital funds at any time in August. To find out how easy it is to get involved, download some recipes or see where your funds go, visit bigcakebake.org.au.

volunteers make more than just a financial impact—they improve the wellbeing of their communities, build social links and trust between people, and create more resilient and connected societies. The everyday work of Red Cross simply wouldn’t be possible without volunteers—they are truly the local heroes of their communities.

Finally, we would like to inform you of our new child protection policy. Red Cross has a strong commitment to protecting children who are involved with our work.

We recently conducted a review of our child protection policy and practices, making a number of positive changes which will be central to the ways of working of Red Cross members, volunteers and staff.

The roll-out of the new policy and code of conduct is currently underway and we encourage you to keep an eye out for more information in the coming months. By creating a safer environment for children, we all benefit.

This is an amazing organisation and we are humbled by the contribution that our people make each and every day. Happy Centenary and thank you!

Michael Legge President Australian Red Cross

Robert Tickner CEO Australian Red Cross

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Around NT A message from the Chair and Executive Director World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is celebrated around the world on 8 May to mark the birthday of Red Cross Red Crescent founder Henri Dunant and his vision of ordinary people taking action to relieve human suffering. This year, we appreciated the opportunity during World Red Cross Day events to say thank you to millions of people just like you who have shown a real commitment to humanitarian values over a century.

Staff and volunteers in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and on Tiwi Islands held events and community activities to celebrate World Red Cross Day, while Adam Giles, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, hosted a formal event at Parliament House.

That night we held a successful fundraiser at the Deckchair Cinema, looking out over the sea and tropical gardens while eating delicious food from Hanuman, the Gold Plate Award-winning restaurant by ‘Masterchef’ Jimmy Shu. A big thank you to all who organised and attended these events!

In March we opened a new, centrally-located office in Alice Springs on the traditional land of the Arrente people. Australian Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner and President Michael Legge attended the Alice Springs Open Day alongside Territory staff and volunteers. “So many generous people in the Northern Territory have willingly given their time, energy and resources to Red Cross to help people living in vulnerable and isolated communities. Without you, our work would not be possible,” Robert Tickner said at the opening. We are enthusiastic for the opportunities that the Alice Springs office brings in connecting with remote communities.

The first Voluntary Service NT Reference Group Meeting was held at Larrakeyah on 17 April, attended by members consisting of staff, volunteers, Foster Stavridis (NT Advisory Board member) and John McNeur (Regional Development Officer of Volunteering SA & NT). The purpose of the Voluntary Service NT Reference Group is to guide the development and implementation of the Voluntary Service Strategy at a local level, in keeping with the larger approach which is being carried out across the organisation. We are dedicated to looking

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Tell us your story Have you shared your chapter of the Red Cross story?

Bronwyn from Adelaide told us, “I had never thought I needed first aid training until I was about to become a mum for the first time. The Red Cross course for parents was a real eye opener and I have already put some of the skills I learned to use.” Whether you have learned with us, supported us or been helped by us, you are invited to share your piece of history at: centenary.redcross.org.au

after our volunteers and creating a great environment for them to work in.

We would like to briefly acknowledge a couple of our valued Red Cross people in the NT. Heather Prendergast, one of our volunteers, has supported many victims of disasters across Australia, provided much-needed healthy food to children, monitored conditions in detention for asylum seekers and given support to young people detained by police. Heather’s nomination in the 2014 Northern Territory Volunteer of the Year Awards was much-deserved and we congratulate her.

Earlier this year we experienced the sadness of losing Janet Durling, a supporter who truly embodied the spirit of humanitarianism. Her kindness and encouragement made a strong impact on people she worked with in immigration detention, as well as volunteers, staff and the wider community. We sincerely thank Janet for her exceptional support, including her generous decision to leave us a Bequest. She will be missed.

Sandra Cannon Executive Director, Northern Territory

Deven Patel NT Divisional Advisory Board Chair

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iStockphoto

Bunnings BBQ Day

We are teaming up with our Centenary fundraising partner, Bunnings to celebrate our 100th Birthday with a national Red Cross Centenary Fundraiser BBQ Day. Red Cross will be hosting fundraising BBQs at Bunnings stores across the country on Saturday 9 August. It’s a terrific opportunity for locals to find out how they can support our

work, making sure we are here for the next 100 years. You can play an important part in celebrating 100 years of people helping people too.

We need members and volunteers to

RENEW

be friendly Red Cross faces, cooking, serving, and staffing our information tables. Save the date and register your interest to volunteer on our website—redcross.org.au/BBQ.

DRIVE SAFELY for Red Cross

your membership!

Your membership is due on 1 July and it’s important for Red Cross to have members renew their support for our work in a timely way.

If you haven’t already done so, renew today! We recently launched an updated online payment facility to make renewing quick and easy. Visit www.redcross.org. au/renewal or call 1800 811 700. Branch/Unit and Club members are welcome to continue to renew via their Branch or Club; simply present your renewal coupon recently mailed to you with your payment to your Treasurer or coordinator of renewals.

Some of you are receiving this newsletter by email, which saves us in printing and postage costs and reduces our negative impact on the environment. We also send a regular members-only e-newsletter called Membership Matters—to receive this as well as other digital updates, email members@redcross.org.au.

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Australian Red Cross

Most of our members would have recently received an invitation to renew their membership for the new financial year.

Many of our staff and volunteers drive as part of their work for Red Cross, and their safety is a major priority for us.

Did you know that most collisions are due to driver error? With nose-to-tail collisions being the most common kind, it’s important to look up and stay back, keeping a gap of at least three seconds between yourself and the vehicle in front. Most drivers do not do this, meaning that if the car in front of them were to brake suddenly, they would not be able to stop in time.

Another common mistake made by competent drivers is rushing and not taking the time to check blind spots, particularly when reversing.

To view a safe driving video developed by our Work Health and Safety team, go to vimeo.com/77924743.

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PURCHASE a piece of RED CROSS On World Red Cross Day we held an event at NSW Parliament House to launch our centenary memorabilia range.

The range includes an Australia Post stamp collection featuring centenary imagery, available at Australia Post shops and online, as well as two collectable coins, available online and through coin retailers. Our collection of vintage gear includes a T-shirt, bumper sticker, apron and tea towel. This memorabilia is available for purchase at centenaryshop. redcross.org.au.

The next big centenary event takes place on our Founding Day, Wednesday 13 August, when we commemorate 100 years to the day since the first meeting of Red Cross in Australia. You can check out community events around the country at centenary.redcross.org.au.

Professor Melanie Oppenheimer’s book The Power of Humanity, which recounts the evolution of Red Cross in Australia. The book will be available for purchase from 12

Our apron, T-shirt and sticker are modelled by Lisa Maunsell,

August through our online Centenary Shop.

Nathan Taylor and Greta Whyte.

A chance to Celebrate

Australian Red Cross/Vincent Verdet

Festivities occurred all over the country in honour of World Red Cross Day on May 8. This event is held annually around the world to celebrate the birthday of Red Cross Red Crescent founder Henri Dunant.

Volunteers and staff like Emma McCarthy and Danielle Burdon braved the cold to show commuters around a Red Cross Centenary display outside Wynyard Train Station in Sydney.

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In NSW, Australian Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner joined President Michael Legge and hundreds of guests at NSW Parliament House for the official launch of the centenary commemorative stamp and coin.

Red Cross supporters received invitations to events at West Australian Parliament House, Northern Territory Parliament and Government House in Melbourne. In Hobart and Launceston, new babies sharing the birthday of Henri Dunant were welcomed into the world with free Red Cross packs. From a picnic in Perth to an open-air cinema night in Darwin, and memorabilia displays and fairs in towns from Swan Hill (VIC) to Gerringong (NSW), World Red Cross Day was an event to remember.

To view a time capsule taken on the day, go to redcross.org.au/world-red-cross-day-2014.aspx. You can also view our inspiring video ‘A Great Australian Story’ at youtube.com/AustralianRedCross.

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Australian Red Cross

In celebration of Founding Day we will proudly launch

Australian Red Cross/Sarah Landro

Arthur performed on the trapeze under the titles The Great Arturo and The Indestructible Arturo.

Arthur Trostl was literally a high flyer—a circus trapeze performer and successful theatrical producer—before a series of crushing blows left him on the brink of homelessness.

The 63-year-old man once known in the circus as The Indestructible Arturo has survived serious injuries and financial hits from a divorce and the Global Financial Crisis.

He was unable to work and facing eviction when Red Cross came into his life, helping him to access emergency financial and food relief as well as financial counselling. He now remains in his housing and is planning ways to get out of debt.

“Red Cross were there for me,” Arthur says. “Once you start to feel like there are people out there helping you, you yourself start to get involved. You start to take control.

“I’m catching up. I’m going to catch up!” he says, with flashes of The Indestructible Arturo in his smile.

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Australian Red Cross

Coming out SWINGING Maude Esther and Talita Nandy enjoy basket-weaving at Pat Gosper Place.

A HOME FOR HEALTH Six months after opening, Cairns Wellbeing Centre—Pat Gosper Place is providing a home away from home for people from remote parts of Far North Queensland, including many people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“Predominant users have been people from the rural and remote communities of the Torres Strait, Western and Eastern Cape York [and] Gulf of Carpentaria,” says Michael White, Regional Manager for Red Cross FNQ. Quality healthcare can be harder to access in remote areas, where many people suffer from reduced life expectancy and higher levels of disease and illness. Pat Gosper Place improves access to services in Cairns by providing free accommodation, but the centre’s services go beyond just that.

With a focus on broader wellbeing, the centre provides culturally-appropriate support including skills training and visits from local services for health, homelessness and family support.

“A number of activities are conducted in the facility, [including] fishing trips, arts and crafts, music sessions, cooking and educational forums,” Michael says.

“These activities along with staff and volunteers have [created] a warm, welcoming culture that respects people from all walks of life.”

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The + Plus Effect We are an organisation built on volunteering and we wouldn’t have been able to help the most vulnerable in our communities for 100 years without the ongoing support of our volunteers.

Volunteering is more than you think

Australian Red Cross

In our centenary year we are proud to launch The + Plus Effect campaign. Volunteers bring a ‘plus effect’ to their societies through their knowledge, skills and ability to build bridges between people. Our 30,000 volunteers add value not only to the lives of the people they support, but to our community as a whole.

Our volunteers help us to serve 750,000 breakfasts to kids who might otherwise go without, make 1.7 million phone calls every year to elderly and socially-isolated Australians, provide emotional and practical support after disasters, provide customer service in Red Cross Shops and help people achieve healthier, safer and more sustainable lives in Australia and internationally.

We are thankful to all our volunteers. Our society is more supportive, connected and inclusive because of their generosity.

To learn more about The + Plus Effect, visit our website redcross.org.au

GEORGIA adds a plus to her community 22-year-old Georgia Lee-Abbott demonstrates the Plus Effect a volunteer has on their community.

Australian Red Cross

Georgia is a seasoned volunteer and was recently awarded the ACT Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

Her work includes providing a safe place to chill at events for young partygoers; giving friendship and support to young asylum seekers; being the Chair of the ACT Youth Advisory Committee and being the youth representative on the National Centenary Committee. It’s quite a list for someone who is also studying a degree in Global Development and working part time for World Vision.

Georgia notes that volunteering with asylum seekers enables her to correct misinformation.

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“My uni friends will ask me ‘oh wow, what are they like, why did they come to Australia, what’s their story?’” she says. “I feel like by telling their story to other people I’m breaking down stereotypes and contributing to a closer-knit community that’s way more tolerant.”

Georgia also enjoys building connections with people of different ages and from other walks of life.

“It’s been really great in fostering a sense of community because it’s bringing like-minded people together that have the same passions and interests, but it’s cross-generational.”

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Australian Red Cross/Louise M Cooper

State Records of SA, GRG 26/5/4/1107, ALDERSON, Lancelot Reginald

TRACING to the TRENCHES of WWI

Lancelot Reginald Alderson, pictured in 1914, is now remembered on a plaque at the Lone Pine Memorial in Turkey.

One of the many stories in the 100-year history of our Tracing Service was featured on 7 News for Anzac Day. From the shores of Gallipoli, Chris Bath told the story of 19-year-old Lance Reginald Alderson, who was one of the first Australian soldiers to arrive at Anzac Cove.

While Lance was killed within a week of arriving, his family struggled to find any information about him for weeks afterwards—until they turned to Red Cross. Led by Vera Deakin, who set up Australia’s Tracing Service at just 24 years of age, Red Cross volunteers discovered that Lance had been shot on 2 May 1914, taken to a hospital ship and later laid to rest at sea. The sad discovery provided some closure for Lance’s family. As 7 News reported, “without the Red Cross Tracing Service, we may still be wondering what happened to him”.

Read and view Lance’s story at redcross.org.au/gallipoli.aspx.

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Nick Lok won our ‘1,000 Paper Cranes’ competition, part of our Make Nuclear Weapons the Target campaign in 2011.

100 years of promoting LAWS in WARS Red Cross was born in war. When the Australian Branch of the British Red Cross Society was formed days into the First World War, the needs of sick and wounded soldiers were uppermost in the minds of its founders. The Geneva Conventions, written into international humanitarian law (IHL), defined our humanitarian mission by establishing that wars should have limits and the wounded should be protected..

Our first Red Cross members rushed to supply items and volunteers to the war front, and to work in hospitals back home. Many patients suffered the fearful effects of poisonous gas, which came to be regarded as the most abhorrent weapon of the Great War. The response, the Geneva Gas Protocol banning the use of asphyxiating and poisonous gases, came in 1925.

By the 1990s, anti-personnel landmines were killing or maiming as many as 100 people per week – often children who were born decades after conflicts had ended. A ban on anti-personnel landmines, colloquially known as the ‘Ottawa Convention’, was adopted in 1997.

20 years later, Red Cross is involved in another humanitarian campaign – this time to create a legally-binding instrument against the use of nuclear weapons. We are garnering the support of governments around the world to ensure they are never used again.

Learn more about our IHL history at redcross.org.au/IHL.

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Children gather safe water, purified by the NOMAD.

More than 50,000 people were affected by heavy rains and flooding in the Solomon Islands in April.

Australian Red Cross aid workers were there during the floods, working alongside Solomon Islands Red Cross to meet the needs of people whose homes had been damaged or destroyed. In addition to emergency relief, we are involved in ongoing work to create healthier and more resilient communities in the islands.

After a tsunami hit the Solomon Islands last year, an Australian Red Cross portable water purification system called the NOMAD provided people with safe water for more than two months. Before the NOMAD’s introduction in 2009, many communities had no access to clean water after disasters, leading to problems like diarrhoea and skin rashes.

“Safe water is often the difference between life and death,” says Jimmy Baragamo, volunteer Water and Sanitation team leader with Solomon Islands Red Cross.

In partnership with SYRIA Violent conflict continues to take hold of Syria, where more than 150,000 civilians have lost their lives and almost half the country’s population has been displaced.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has provided food, water and other relief to millions of Syrians over the past three years.

However, some places remain hard to reach due to violence and lack of respect for international humanitarian law.

The ICRC recently extended its budget in order to provide further assistance in this urgent humanitarian crisis. The spending of over USD$150 million makes the Syria effort unmatched by any other operation in the past 15 years. The ICRC is partnering with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to use pre-

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$150 million makes the Syria effort unmatched… existing community connections in delivering relief.

“The SARC’s presence in both Government and oppositioncontrolled areas, its proximity to affected populations, the dedication of its staff and volunteers and their deep knowledge of the terrain allow the ICRC to deliver aid even in the most challenging environments,” says ICRC delegate Daphnée Maret.

IFRC/Ibrahim Malla

Australian Red Cross/Tim McInerney

CLEAN WATER for recovery

Displaced children attend a mobile health clinic provided by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

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A SUPPORTIVE HOME environment

The Administrator commented on the beautiful gardens and pleasant atmosphere at Kalano, which provides residential care services for aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from Katherine and other regions. The facility has 20 beds, with two reserved for respite patients.

“Residents were delighted to have Her Honour visit,” says Meg Geritz, Regional Manager of Katherine and Daly River. “It was an absolute pleasure to be able to share with Her Honour the work of [our] 13 staff dedicated to creating a warm, caring and supportive home environment for our residents.”

Bessie Wilson, a resident of seven years, enjoyed sharing stories with Sally Thomas.

Australian Red Cross

Red Cross staff, volunteers and residents of our Kalano Flexible Care facility in Katherine welcomed a visit from Her Honour the Honourable Sally Thomas, AC, Administrator of the Northern Territory and Patron of Red Cross in the NT.

A shared HISTORY Gladys has been involved with Red Cross since 1941 when she first became a blood donor. During the Second World War she packed parcels and wrote letters for soldiers.

Childbirth complications forced Gladys and her husband to temporarily send their five young kids to a Red Cross home for children in 1948. “It helped so much to know that the children were being cared for by the Red Cross,” Gladys says.

When Gladys was injured in falls

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in 1988 and 1992, we cared for her in her home and delivered meals. A Red Cross volunteer now calls Gladys every day to check on her wellbeing and provide some friendly human contact.

“It’s so lovely to say hello to someone first thing in the morning,” Gladys says. “It not only helps me, but it helps my family to know that I will be checked on every day.”

“Red Cross has always been there as a helping hand for many people and for me and my family,” Gladys says.

Australian Red Cross

Sharing our centenary anniversary is NT resident Gladys Morris, who will also celebrate turning 100 years old this year.

Gladys enjoys her phone call on Mondays from volunteer Lorraine Gardner.

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Helping to HEAL

The 29-year-old Palestinian man was shot in his homeland of Gaza while trying to help a friend. Raed received minimal medical attention for his injured arm and lived in fear that the gunman would return to kill him.

Raed fled Gaza and eventually arrived in Australia by boat. When he was released from immigration detention and sent to Darwin, two Red Cross volunteers picked him up from the airport. “I was stunned with the support that Red Cross provided to me through those

difficult times,” Raed says. Red Cross helped him to buy groceries and a mobile phone, open a bank account and find accommodation. He also received assistance to undergo surgery for his arm, which finally happened in April.

Wanting to “be a part of Red Cross”, Raed became a volunteer in September last year. He now volunteers five days a week at his local Red Cross Shop, where he has made many new friends and says that he loves his work.

Australian Red Cross/Sheraz Khan

Raed Zanoon lived with metal screws and plates in his arm for almost eight years before Red Cross helped him to receive medical assistance.

Raed enjoys volunteering in his local Red Cross Shop.

Australian Red Cross

Darwin’s WAR TRIALS

One function of IHL is to protect injured servicemen who are no longer engaged in the conflict.

Darwin has the unique distinction of being Australia’s only location to have first-hand experience as a target of warfare and a host of war crimes tribunals.

At a recent Red Cross event, we revisited the history of the Darwin tribunals in 1946, in which 10 Japanese soldiers were convicted of war crimes including the illtreatment of Australian and British prisoners of war.

“These historic trials are a unique example of the enforcement of international humanitarian law (IHL)

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on Australian territory,” says Geoff Skillen, an expert in international criminal law and chair of Red Cross’ IHL Advisory Committee.

We continue to work today to promote the principles of IHL, which sets limits to how wars can be fought and protects those not involved in fighting.

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Australian Red Cross

A Southern Cross Care worker helps Red Cross College student Helen Manning-Dallman with on-the-job training.

A small Breaking down barriers to work amount for a with disabilities or other barriers to employment are gaining BIG difference People access to long-term, sustainable work through Red Cross Training Did you know that Red Cross runs Wills Days? We can give you the opportunity to meet with a local solicitor from our national solicitor network and prepare or update a simple Will from $75.

Whilst there is no obligation to include Red Cross in your Will, the service gives you the option of leaving us a gift to support our everyday work into the future.

Find out more by emailing bequests@redcross.org.au or calling 1800 811 700.

Services, which offers more than 40 courses and qualifications.

We recently partnered with MatchWorks, a disability employment services provider, to build the skills of their job-seekers. Our nationallyaccredited training is delivered through small classes which offer a supportive learning environment, and students can learn on the job by taking part in practical work placements.

Southern Cross Care in SA and the NT is one business which recently

took on Red Cross College work experience students. “We had a very positive experience with Red Cross College students,” says Michael Alder from Southern Cross Care. “We are pleased with the talent coming through and have enjoyed the great partnerships built between our staff and Red Cross.”

To learn more about opportunities for both job-seekers and employers, call 1300 367 428.

Contact your local Red Cross office for more information: National Office 155 Pelham Street, Carlton VIC 3053 T +61 3 9345 1800 F +61 3 9348 2513 redcross.org.au

NSW St Andrew’s House Level 4, 464 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000 T 02 9229 4111 F 02 9229 4244 E nswinfo@redcross.org.au

Cover Image: Australian Red Cross

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