By Max Pringle OAM
Way back in eighteen sixty three
On a foreign battle ground
All the wounded men on both side
Were just scattered all around.
Some villagers were rounded up
As was Henry Durrant’s plan
They cared for wounded from both sides
And that’s how Red Cross began.
It didn’t reach Australia’s shore
For around half a century more
August thirteen nineteen fourteen
When we joined the First World War.
‘Twas Lady Helen Ferguson
Who set the wheels in motion
To help our soldiers as they fought
A war across the ocean.
The nation quickly rallied round
And Red Cross spread through the land
And in every town and city
Red Cross branches were at hand.
Since then they’ve played a major role
Wherever disaster falls
In fires, floods, earthquakes and wars
They’ll be ready for the call.
Red Cross is known throughout the world
As is also Red Crescent
Wherever people need a hand
One or both will be present.
