Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (16:26) 

Tomorrow the Australian Red Cross celebrates 110 years of service to our country and so many more all around the world. The Red Cross was first established during the First World War. On 13 August 1914, nine days after the outbreak of the First World War, Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, the wife of the Governor-General, formed Australia's first Red Cross branch. They were there when the men who fought for our country needed them the most.

Thousands of amazing women volunteers contributed their time making vast quantities of clothing—socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas—and a variety of linen, providing comfort to our diggers on the most uncomfortable of battlefields. They were in hospitals and convalescent homes providing vital care, goods and entertainment. They raised much-needed funds for the sick, wounded and prisoners of war. They even organised the Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau.

While we are lucky to no longer be living through times of war, there are still so many Australians crying out for help relying on the generosity of organisations like the Red Cross to help keep them on their feet. Today Red Cross Australia is made up of 16,000 members and volunteers, all dedicated to helping people impacted by disaster, conflict and other social issues.

I say thank you to every one of those 16,000 volunteers. Keep up the great work, and we hope many more will join your organisation soon.

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