Australian women played a crucial role in the first Australia Day on July 30, 1915, which aimed to support sick and wounded soldiers from World War I. Originally suggested by Ellen Wharton-Kirke, the day centered on fundraising for the Red Cross. Women's contributions towards Australia Day remain overlooked in historical narratives surrounding Australia Day and the Anzac story.
Tag: First World War
Australia Day 1918, Red Cross Fundraising Activities in Camden
Australia Day fundraisers in 1918 played a crucial role in supporting the war effort, with various activities such as selling badges, public subscriptions, prayer services, lectures, and door-knocks. The Camden Red Cross raised a significant amount, as did Menangle and Narellan branches. The total effort amounted to £748, a substantial sum for the time.
Share this:
Share this:
Camden Red Cross 110 Years Display: Objects and Ephemera Exhibition 2024
The Camden Red Cross exhibition at Camden Library in August 2024 showcased the historical contributions of local women to the Red Cross during World Wars I and II. Women from the Camden district played a pivotal role in supporting soldiers and shaping the narrative of the Australian Red Cross, creating over 20,300 articles in 40,000 volunteer hours during WWI.
Share this:
Share this:
Ministering Angels, Myth and the Red Cross on the Australian Wartime Homefront
The paper presented at the 33rd Annual Conference of the Australian Historical Association at the University of Queensland in 2014 explored the role of Australian country women in supporting the Red Cross during the First World War. The paper focused on the Camden District Red Cross, emphasizing the conservative women’s empowerment in embracing the Red Cross, serving as ministering angels, and upholding patriotic values. Total words: 78
Share this:
Share this:
New South Wales Women and the Red Cross: A Noble Cause
During the First World War in Australia, the Red Cross organization saw enthusiastic support from New South Wales women, spurred on by Lady Helen Munro Ferguson and the state's elite. The movement mobilized thousands for war support, with both urban and rural branches contributing countless hours and funds to provide comfort and aid to soldiers.
Share this:
Share this:
Menangle School of Arts hall, the heart of a village, under redevelopment
The Menangle Community Association is leading a project to replace the former Menangle School of Arts with a modern community hall.
Share this:
Share this:
Blue Plaque recognises Camden Red Cross sewing circle in wartime
The wartime efforts of Camden women have been recognised by the successful nomination for a New South Wales Blue Plaque with Heritage NSW. The women volunteered thousands of hours of their effort and skills to supply hospital requisites for soldiers at military hospitals.
Share this:
Share this:
Camden and its French Connections
Camden had a number of connections with France during the First World Ward and they have been recorded on the pages of the Camden News. They included Bastille Day celebrations and the memoirs of William Sidman in Paris in 1870 at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war.
Share this:
Share this:
Understanding the Anzac Myth: Truths and Contradictions
The Anzac story is vital to Australian identity, yet its meaning remains contested. Historian Dr. Jen Roberts argues that the narrative, while centered on duty and sacrifice, encompasses contradictions surrounding nationalism, trauma, and the realities of war. Anzac's evolution reflects cultural transformations, highlighting diverse interpretations and ongoing relevance in society.
Share this:
Share this:
The Patterson family of Elderslie, the value of family histories
The story of the Patterson family of Elderslie NSW illustrates the value and importance of family history.
