WA - Australian Red Cross

Issue 1, 2012
Newsletter
for members
and volunteers
WA edition
P4 Red Cross Calling
P5 Messages from
the inside
P8 A thousand extra
miles to recovery
P9 The man with the
golden arm

PAGE 2
AROUND AUSTRALIA
Message from the
President and CEO
Michael Legge
President
Australian Red Cross
Robert Tickner
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Red Cross
Welcome to another year full
of new opportunities and ways
you can contribute to the
community, helping the most
vulnerable people in Australia
and overseas.
The success of Red Cross as the
largest humanitarian organisation in
the world rests on the work of trained
and experienced volunteers in our
emergency and everyday work.
This year, at the National Emergency
Awards recognition events, four Red
Cross volunteers, Tony Cullen, Des
Dowie, Jeffrey Hubbard and Bruce
Smith were recognised for their
contribution to helping Australians
affected by natural disasters with
inaugural National Emergency Medals.
These four volunteers represent the
huge contribution made by our
thousands of Red Cross members,
volunteers and supporters across
Australia and around the world.
The Awards were presented by the Prime
Minister at a ceremony in Canberra on
Australia Day and at an event in
recognition of the Black Saturday
bushfires in Flowerdale, Victoria.
You can read more about their
remarkable contributions in the
Queensland Floods and Victorian
Bushfires on our website.
This year we will be consulting widely
to develop a new organisation-wide
strategy on Voluntary Service through
Australian Red Cross to guide our
work in this area. We look forward to
updating you and involving you in
this exciting project.
We hope you enjoy this edition of the
newsletter. You can read more about
our work in the recently published
Annual Report 2010-2011, available
on our website redcross.org.au.
L to R; Des Dowie, Tony Cullen, Michael Legge
and Kevin Keeffe at the inaugural National
Emergency Medals presentation on Australia Day.
Jeff Hubbard is presented with his National
Emergency Medal by the Prime Minister.
Photo: Australian Red Cross/Commonwealth
Government.
New President for Australian Red Cross
Michael Legge was elected
as President of Australian
Red Cross on 8 December
2011 at the Annual General
Meeting in Hobart.
Michael has a long and distinguished
involvement with Red Cross and
served as Vice President for the eight
years prior to his new appointment.
He joined Red Cross in 1986 as a
young and enthusiastic volunteer
ambulance driver with the St Marys
branch in Tasmania.
Since then, his involvement with Red
Cross has taken him from rural
Tasmania as far afield as Mongolia,
Pakistan and the Pacific. He has also
represented Australian Red Cross
internationally, both as an Australian
delegate and speaker at international
forums, and as an active participant
in decision-making for the Movement.
Michael and his wife Sophie are the
proud parents of three school-aged
children and they are the
hardworking owners of a sheep
farm in Tasmania. Australian Red
Cross congratulates Michael on his
election and look forward to his
leadership initiatives.
In addition, we are delighted to
report that the immediate past
President of Australian Red Cross
Greg Vickery AM has been elected
to the Standing Commission of the
International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement.
This is a tremendous personal
achievement for Greg and also a huge
honour for Australia and our region.
Cover photo: Australian Red Cross/Louise Cooper

WA NEWS
PAGE 3
Message from the Chair
and Executive Director
We welcome you to the first
edition of our Newsletter for
members and volunteers in 2012.
Fortunately, the beginning of this year
has been much quieter in our
Emergency Services team than it was
last year. However, we were activated
during the Kewdale and Cloverdale
fires and continue to keep an eye on
cyclones and fires within the state.
We would like to impress upon all our
valued members and volunteers to take
time to think about and plan for
emergencies by taking four key steps –
1. Be informed
2. Make a plan
3. Get an emergency kit
4. Know your neighbours
These are the four steps outlined in
Emergency REDiPlan, a Red Cross
guide, available as a booklet or from
our website, redcross.org.au.
You are our most valuable asset and
your health and safety are of major
concern to us, so if you haven’t done so
already we encourage you to formulate
your plan in case of an emergency.
We take this opportunity to wish you a
healthy and safe 2012 and hope to
meet you during the course of the year.
Ian Anson
Chair, Advisory
Board WA
Steve Joske CSC
Executive Director
WA
Save our trees.
Save our dollars.
To receive this
newsletter by email
contact Supporter Services Centre:
Email: donorinfo@redcross.org.au
Phone: 1800 811 700
Do you have a Red Cross story?
We would like to hear how you, our valued members and
volunteers, are making a difference.
If you have an idea for a story, or are holding an event that we
can cover, please get in touch.
Please contact your local membership coordinator (contact
details on back).
Great ideas
can travel
The Greg Vickery Scholarship
has been established this year by
the Australian Red Cross Board in
honour of the retiring President, Mr
Greg Vickery AM who continues to
serve Red Cross as a member, a
volunteer and a leader after nearly
40 years. Greg’s involvement with
Red Cross continues at the highest
levels following his appointment as
Chair of the Standing Commission
of the International Movement.
The scholarship, valued at $25,000,
will be awarded annually to fund a
joint international learning experience
for a Red Cross volunteer or member
and a Red Cross staff member. It will
be a fantastic collaborative
experience and have a direct benefit
for Australian Red Cross.
We encourage members and
volunteers to collaborate with a staff
member and submit the required
joint application by 31 May, 2012.
For further details about how to
apply or the selection criteria, please
contact Cathy Stillwell, at cstillwell@
redcross.org.au or 07 3367 7450.
Newsletter for members and volunteers

PAGE 4
AROUND AUSTRALIA
Red Cross Calling
Local hero Cliff Baker from Monash, Victoria,
has worked tirelessly to raise funds for Red
Cross Calling. Photo: Australian Red Cross
Local heroes may come without
capes and superpowers but the
work that they do is nothing
short of miraculous.
This year as part of our Red Cross
Calling campaign we are looking to
recognise all those local heroes who
are living in communities across
Australia and help Red Cross support
vulnerable people both locally and
throughout the world.
One local hero is well known to our
Red Cross Calling team: Cliff Baker
from Monash, Victoria. Cliff has
worked tirelessly with Red Cross
Calling for a number of years, and
raised more than $44,000 last year
– an astonishing effort.
Cliff visits the schools in his area to talk
to students about Red Cross and
works with student volunteers to
coordinate Red Cross Calling
fundraisers. He then personally
delivers fundraising kits to the schools
involved, organises street collections
and finally collects and banks all the
money that they raise.
We know that there are many more
local heroes out there who have
contributed in equally important ways
and on a daily basis. This year for Red
Cross Calling we are asking you to
send in your local hero stories.
A local hero could be anyone who has
shown overwhelming support for Red
Cross. This could be:
• A local community member who
has been involved for a long period
of time or has raised significant
funds for Red Cross
• A Red Cross program manager
who has worked closely with local
communities in their region
• Someone who has volunteered
with Red Cross either in a time of
crisis or in support of one of our
everyday programs.
Please send your stories of your local
hero, including a short description of
why you think they fit the title to
rcc@redcross.org.au or mail to Local
Hero Story, Red Cross Calling, Level 9,
17 York St, Sydney NSW 2000.
These stories will help us in our
upcoming promotions of Red Cross
Calling campaigns.
Red Cross Calling is on during March.
For more information or to fundraise
for us, visit our website at redcross.
org.au, call us on 1800 811 700 or
email us at communityfundraising@
redcross.org.au.
East Africa Drought Appeal
2011 now closed
Thank you for your tremendous efforts in fundraising for the East
Africa Drought Appeal 2011. The final day for fundraising is 29
February and all funds must be banked by 30 March 2012.
Japan tsunami
one year on
This March marks 12 months since
a destructive earthquake and
tsunami severely affected
communities across north east
Japan. The signs of recovery are
clear, with most of the debris now
removed and shops and businesses
gradually reopening in many places.
Generally, people are facing
considerable challenges living in
cramped temporary housing,
especially during the winter season.
Many people are stressed about the
slow pace of reconstruction and feel
uncertain about the future.
The Australian Red Cross Japan
and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011
raised more than $27 million and
funds raised through the appeal
have been forwarded to Japanese
Red Cross Society, which
responded within hours of the
earthquake with medical teams
and relief supplies. Red Cross
remains committed to assisting in
the long term recovery of affected
communities in the months and
years ahead.
To find out more about the
ongoing assistance to Japan,
visit redcross.org.au.
Wills for life
If you would like to leave
your footprint by contributing
to the vital work of Red
Cross in Australia and across
the world, why not remember
us in your Will. We can put
you in touch with a solicitor
who can help you write or
change your Will for only
$75. To find out how to leave
a bequest for Red Cross
please contact us by calling
1800 811 700 or email
bequests@redcross.org.au.

AROUND AUSTRALIA
PAGE 5
Messages from the inside
“I learnt that we need to be
proud of our culture, our
community, to say no to drugs
and alcohol” SAM (save-a-mate)
Our Way education participant
from Whyalla.
At the Port Augusta Prison in South
Australia, a group of young Aboriginal
men in low security are preparing for
their release by creating beautiful
artwork with strong messages about
their personal experiences. They are
part of the Red Cross SAM Our Way
program, which focuses on training
and mentoring in rural and remote
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities. The program targets
known risks such as depression,
anxiety, violence and problematic
substance abuse in young people.
Based on a successful urban project,
SAM Our Way runs throughout South
Australia, Queensland, Northern
Territory and Western Australia using
preventative, educational and early
intervention approaches with
communities to build sustainable
models of care.
“The yarning was good. I learnt about
keeping healthy, drugs and alcohol,
our culture, keeping strong. Not to be
ashamed about who we are,” says
one SAM Our Way education
participant from Whyalla. “I really
enjoyed the sessions; it was really
good to learn about it. It was cool.”
The focus of the project in the Port
Augusta Prison has been on
developing a shared story that
highlights the journey that the men
have taken before, during and after
their incarceration.
As part of the story, the men have
created artwork that highlight a series
of messages within the shared story.
The messages focus on the historical
and structural factors that have led to
high rates of disadvantage and
disempowerment among Aboriginal
communities, and the role that drug
use plays in Aboriginal incarceration.
“Alcohol can change our ways of
thinking and will also affect our
judgement. There are also choices to
avoid those problems involving alcohol
and other drugs. Which path will you
take?” reads one message. Another
man writes, “Our inner spirit gives us
that strength to believe within ourselves.
When our spirit feels strong, your mind
is strong. Our inner spirit also keeps our
families together, our communities
strong and our culture alive.”
With these messages in mind, these
young men now prepare to re-join their
communities and their artwork can be
used as a tool for promoting behaviour
change in other young people.
For more information about the SAM
Our Way program or to find out how
you can help visit redcross.org.au or
call 03 9345 1800.
Inner Spirit
Our inner spirit gives us that strength
to believe within ourselves. When our
spirit feels strong, your mind is
strong. Our inner spirit also keeps our
families together, our communities
strong and our culture alive.
Respect
Aiming towards respecting our Elders
Teaching future leaders
Together as one Red Cross
In December last year, Red Cross
volunteers, members and staff
came together at the National
Conference 2011 to celebrate our
successes, share ideas and chart
our future work.
The conference was officially opened
by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce
AC, Governor-General of Australia
and Patron of Australian Red Cross.
Ms Bryce spoke warmly about the
ways Red Cross is ever present in
our communities, saying that “Red
Cross has a hold on all our hearts”.
The conference featured inspiring
addresses, by speakers including
Abbas Gullet, Secretary General
Kenya Red Cross, Yves Daccord,
Director General of the International
Committee of the Red Cross,
Australian Red Cross President
Michael Legge, the Hon. Catherine
Branson QC, Associate Professor
Melanie Oppenheimer, as well as
workshops with staff, members,
volunteers and young
humanitarians.
Newsletter for members and volunteers

PAGE 6
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A troubled paradise
Sivapalam Sundaram not only survived the 2004
tsunami but also a violent 30-year civil conflict
in Sri Lanka. Photo: Australian Red Cross /
Nadeeka Arambewela
Sivapalam’s home town, an
idyllic seaside village in
northern Sri Lanka, has seen
tsunami destruction and 30
years of war. Sivapalam has
lived through all of it. Now he
talks about rebuilding his home
with the help of his surviving
family and Red Cross.
Sivapalam Sundaram used to fish the
waters every day. Then they turned on
the village. He tells of the deafening,
deep roaring as the wave charged
through the town. The 2004 tsunami
stole his wife and left him clinging
desperately to his fence, fighting the
water. He then sought safety at the
Hindu temple (kovil) with what was left
of his family.
Displacement and fearing for his life are
not new to Sivapalam. He has not only
survived one of the most destructive
natural disasters in recent history but also
a violent 30-year civil conflict in Sri Lanka.
Sivapalam lives in Mamunai village –
an isolated, breathtakingly beautiful
seaside village located in the Northern
Province. However, the white sand and
palms disguise the brutal fighting that
this village has witnessed. In years
following the tsunami, the conflict
intensified and the villagers were
largely housed in Internally Displaced
Persons camps.
Now Sivapalam has returned to his
village after his release from the camp.
His adult son has come back and they
have built two adjacent temporary
shelters with palm fronds and tin sheets
so that they are never too far from each
other. Even with this shelter they are
exposed to the elements and the
monsoon season is near.
Sivapalam is not too worried about the
rains, though. He shows me how his
kitchen garden has been moved to
accommodate the foundations of a new
house that will be built using the funds
contributed by Australian Red Cross. For
the first time in years, he will have
permanent shelter and a lockable door.
The Post Conflict Recovery Program
(PCRP) is a construction program
driven by participants and has proven
to be successful in other conflict and
tsunami-affected areas of Sri Lanka.
Cash grants are given to participants
like Sivapalam to start building. An
accompanying livelihoods and water
and sanitation grant offers extra
support. Red Cross works closely with
participants, managing and monitoring
the program, and ensuring that people
are technically supported throughout
the construction process.
Sivapalam’s granddaughter waves to
us from behind a tin sheet that forms
the wall of her current house.
Sivapalam nods quietly with a look of
pride as he acknowledges the little girl.
Her blitheness presents a contrast to
the contained emotion of her
grandfather who has survived so much
destruction and pain.
The war and the tsunami have left a
lasting legacy on those who have lived
through them. Although one cannot
erase memories of the past, continued
support will slowly rebuild lives and
renew hope. It is this hope that will
nurture the next generation of villagers,
like Sivapalam’s granddaughter, and
foster positive stories of seaside life in
the north of Sri Lanka.
For more information on our work with
vulnerable communities overseas or to
find out how you can help by
volunteering or making a donation go to
redcross.org.au or call 1800 811 700.
With shelter materials accessed via funds donated by Australian Red Cross to the Post Conflict
Recovery Program, Sivapalam Sundaram is rebuilding his home. Photo: Australian Red Cross /
Nadeeka Arambewela

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
PAGE 7
International scholarships
recognise Red Cross people
Whether in the field, at their desks, or in
our communities, Red Cross people
work hard to achieve amazing things.
Vinay Menon and Anita George are being
recognised for their commitment to
humanity through prestigious awards that
will send them abroad to pursue study.
Former national youth leader of
Australian Red Cross, Vinay Menon
has been awarded a prestigious
Rhodes scholarship to study at the
University of Oxford, England. Vinay’s
extensive humanitarian work has also
been recognised in Australia through
the WA Citizen of the Year award
(2008) and the National Young
People’s Human Rights Medal (2009).
This exceptional young man has a
medical degree (MBBS) and a medical
science degree (BMSc in child health)
from the University of Western Australia.
He was the co-founder and volunteer
leader of the Red Cross ‘World Aware’
program for young refugees.
Anita George – a team leader for the
Community Detention program at Red
Cross in Tasmania – has been awarded
After years of study and volunteering with Red
Cross, Vinay will journey to Oxford next July.
Photo courtesy of Vinay Menon
the Sir John Monash Foundation
scholarship and will undertake
postgraduate study at Paris’ Sciences
Po, a university dedicated to the study
of political and social sciences.
“I feel very honoured to be a recipient of
such a prestigious postgraduate
scholarship. The calibre of the other
recipients, both past and present, is
both humbling and inspiring,” says Anita.
Anita holds first-class honours degrees in
both Law and Psychology from the
University of Tasmania and has a diploma
Anita George has been awarded the
Sir John Monash Foundation scholarship.
Photo courtesy Anita George
in French. She is also well known as a
musician and has released three albums.
“My postgraduate studies will include
subjects relating to international
migration policy development, so I am
grateful for the opportunity to have
worked in the Australian migration
sphere as a human rights lawyer and
subsequently in my role with Australian
Red Cross,” Anita says.
Volunteer destinations: The Philippines
The Philippines is an extraordinarily
beautiful country. A place where
volunteers can really make a
difference. Australian Volunteers for
International Development (AVID) is an
Australian Government and AusAID
initiative. AVID representative, Shaun
Hazeldine gives the lowdown on
volunteering in the Philippines.
“The Philippines is plagued by natural
disasters – between 20-30 cyclones
each year. This has a real impact on
the country’s ongoing development.
Through AVID, we want to lend some
support to organisations working in
disaster management, and support
local communities to better prepare for
and withstand natural disasters.
Most assignments are about disaster
management, whether in climate
change, city-wide disaster planning,
logistics or working with Philippine Red
Cross staff in rural communities. One
day you could be in an office developing
a project plan; the next day you could be
100km away in the mountains talking to
farmers; and then you might be relaxing
on a gorgeous beach at one of the
country’s 6000 islands!
Philippine Red Cross will be a key
agency for AVID assignments. It will also
embed volunteers within local
government units that have responsibility
for coordination during disasters. It will
also work with organisations that
support at-risk young people.
As a volunteer, you need to be adaptable
and flexible, because things can change
direction from one day to the next. It can
take some time to settle in, so patience is
very important. It’s an extraordinarily
beautiful country and people are genuine
and friendly. Volunteers in the Philippines
make solid, lasting friendships and there
are many strong development agencies
to work with.”
Check out Shaun’s video at
redcross.org.au/volunteer-destinationsphilippines.aspx
AVID is an Australian Government,
AusAID initiative. Visit ausaid.gov.au/
volunteer and search for Red Cross
assignments or call us on 03 9345 1834.
Newsletter for members and volunteers

PAGE 8
AROUND AUSTRALIA
A thousand extra miles to recovery
Red Cross volunteer Jeff Hubbard and Red
Cross staff member Colin Sivalingum head to
Condamine to assist with the Queensland floods
response in 2011. Photo: Australian Red Cross
It is eye-opening how many people still
need a hand in their recovery, says
Red Cross emergency services
volunteer Jeff Hubbard. “Even though
many people are still doing it tough, it
is rewarding seeing how Red Cross
makes a difference,” he says.
“When you see people down on their
luck, it is always nice to help. I like
what Red Cross stands for. You know
that saying ‘someone goes that extra
mile? Well Red Cross goes the extra
thousand. How do I know? Because
I’ve done it.”
Jeff has spent much of his time over
the past year doing everyday
emergency services work, assisting
hundreds of people affected by the
floods across Queensland.
Jeff says the horrors of the Victorian
bushfires in 2009 inspired him to
volunteer with Red Cross emergency
services. Jeff didn’t hear from Red
Cross until towns in Queensland
started going underwater on 26
December, 2010 then “my phone was
going crazy”.
Jeff worked across Queensland in no
fewer than 12 evacuation and recovery
centres from Chinchilla in the south to
Cardwell in far north Queensland.
“A lot of people just wanted somebody
to talk to. (Where they needed specific
assistance) I referred them on to other
agencies and other service providers,”
he says. Often resulting in much
needed grants and financial assistance
so that people could get simple items
like kettles and white goods. “When
we did return, the smile and gratitude
made it all worthwhile.”
He remembers one woman with five
kids. “She had absolutely nothing. Now,
the house is fully decked out. For me
that is a good result. She was very
thankful and it was good to help them.”
Jeff says Red Cross was there for
communities who were in remote
areas and risked being forgotten. “I
was doing areas that I’d never even
heard of. Those areas never got a
mention on the TV.” Jeff will not forget
them. He was flown in to Condamine
by Black Hawk helicopter.
Jeff recalls a Condamine man living in
a tiny place. “He was living in a carport
and his landlord had told him that he
could move back in to his place,” Jeff
says. His place was “horrendous… full
of mud and toads” so Jeff referred him
on to a support service and he was
re-housed. “That’s a victory,” Jeff says
with a huge smile.
Our work with communities, in
Australia and overseas, in disaster
preparedness, response and recovery
is a crucial part of our everyday work.
There are thousands of Red Cross
volunteers like Jeff. We rely on the
service and hard work of volunteers to
help some of the most vulnerable
people in our communities.
You can make a donation to the
ongoing everyday and emergency
work of Red Cross by:
• giving monthly, leaving a bequest in
your will or making a one-off
donation to Disaster Relief and
Recovery by visiting redcross.org.au
or calling 1800 811 700
• or you can become a member of
the Disaster Relief and Recovery
team, go to redcross.org.au to
find out more.
Historic decision taken on nuclear weapons
Australian Red Cross has been
running an advocacy campaign,
Make Nuclear Weapons the Target.
We have been calling on the
Australian public and the international
community to support a convention
to ban the use of nuclear weapons.
In November, we took your views
and the results of our campaign
to an international Movement
meeting in Geneva. In an historic
decision the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement
passed a resolution to work towards
a legally binding international
agreement to ensure nuclear
weapons are never used again and
are ultimately eliminated.
The decision is of critical importance as
it challenges the legitimacy of nuclear
weapons ever being used as a weapon
of war because of the catastrophic
humanitarian consequences, in
particular on civilians, and the threat to
climate change.
“Nuclear weapons are an increasing
threat to all civilian populations in the
event of conflict. If we can achieve
treaties to control the use of land mines
and cluster munitions, as we
successfully have, then we cannot turn
our backs on the need to get agreement
on a global convention to outlaw this evil
weapon forever,” Australian Red Cross
CEO, Robert Tickner says.
The decision to support the initiative
was taken by the Council of
Delegates of the Movement which is
comprised of representatives of the
International Committee of the Red
Cross, the 187 Red Cross and Red
Crescent National Societies and the
International Federation.
There is still much more to be done to
ban the use of nuclear weapons, and
we want you to be part of the journey.
You can join our campaign at
TargetNuclearWeapons.org.au.

AROUND AUSTRALIA
PAGE 9
The man with the golden arm
James Harrison gives blood that has been credited with saving the lives of 2.4 million Australian
babies. Photo: Australian Red Cross
Very few people in the world
could claim they have saved
millions of lives during their
lifetime but there is one man
in Australia who can.
Through his blood donations, James
Harrison has been credited with saving
the lives of 2.4 million Australian
babies. The 74-year-old has been
donating blood to the Red Cross
Blood Service for more than 50 years.
Making his 1000th donation in 2011,
James has also entered the Guinness
Book of Records.
James has a rare type of blood plasma
that is used to make lifesaving
injections given to mothers whose
blood is at risk of attacking and killing
their unborn babies.
The condition, called Haemolytic
Disease of the Newborn, potentially
affects 17 per cent of babies and is
caused when a mother and her baby
have different blood types.
The disease arises when a mother has
Rh (D) negative blood and her baby is
Rh (D) positive. The product derived
from James’ blood is called Anti-D and
is injected into at-risk mothers.
The Blood Service’s Anti-D Program
began in 1967 to help decrease the now
preventable deaths of unborn babies
during pregnancy. Every batch of Anti-D
ever made in Australia has some of
James Harrison’s blood in it, and one
batch, incredibly, even helped to protect
the life of his unborn grandson.
James is so committed to the program
that even after embarking on the great
Australian road trip with his wife for his
retirement, he stopped at major
centres along the way to keep
donating his life saving gift.
Anti-D Program Leader, Noemi
Bondar, says that there are now 192
active donors on the program.
However, this number is only just
sufficient to meet Australian needs.
“Anti-D can only be produced from the
blood of a select group of donors,”
says Noemi. “These donors all have
the Rh (D) negative blood type but
they also have an antibody called
Anti-D. Very few people, and even
fewer donors, have Anti-D, so we rely
heavily on these donors for this
important product.”
Noemi says that to maximise the
supply of Anti-D to meet demand, the
program is now able to stimulate the
development of Anti-D in specially
selected donors who initially do not
have it and boost the Anti-D levels of
donors who do. Men and women
past child-bearing age are the most
suitable candidates.
“Anti-D donors are then able to give
plasma donations as often as
fortnightly with each one being
tremendously valuable and gratefully
received,” says Noemi.
To find out how you can donate
to the Anti-D Program visit
donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.
Get the latest
updates from
Red Cross on
social media
Red Cross uses social
media to promote our work,
engage with our supporters,
boost our fundraising and
income activities and raise
brand awareness.
If you are on social media, here are
some of the ways you can learn about
and share Red Cross with the world.
• ‘Like’ Australian Red Cross’
Facebook page and share and
comment on our posts
facebook.com/
AustralianRedCross
• ‘Follow’ Australian Red Cross on
Twitter and retweet our tweets
@RedCrossAU
• Share links to Australian Red
Cross’ videos on YouTube
youtube.com/redcrossaust
• Set up a profile on LinkedIn and
include whether you are a
volunteer/member with
Australian Red Cross
linkedin.com/company/
australian-red-cross
Keen to get posting
and tweeting?
Here are a couple of ideas to
help you get started.
Facebook:
• I’m a volunteer for Australian
Red Cross. It’s such a rewarding
experience!
• I’m so proud to be a member of
Australian Red Cross. What an
inspirational organisation!
Twitter:
• Just spent the day #volunteering
for @RedCrossAU. Love their work!
• @RedCrossAU Calling is on in
#March – can’t wait!
Newsletter for members and volunteers

PAGE 10
WA NEWS
Young people who care
Sometimes young people
are forced to grow up before
their time. Throughout WA,
young carers have parents or
family members who require
their support in order to
remain living independently
in the community.
Jasmine is one such young person. She
assists her father Ni by caring for her
mother who is in the palliative stage of
multiple sclerosis. Jasmine has been in a
caring role since she was seven. Without
the support of Jasmine, her mother
would face the prospect of living in an
aged care facility. Eleanor’s care is 24
hours a day, seven days a week. This
level of support is extremely hard to
sustain and the family do this with some
agency support, but mainly on their own.
Jasmine also attends high school
where she is a high achiever. Her
principal says that she is “one of the
future leaders of her school.” The Red
Cross Young Carers program is one
way that young people like Jasmine
can achieve a little bit of the freedom
and lifestyle they have foregone
because of their caring role.
The program supports young carers
with tutoring, purchasing school books
and uniforms, domestic assistance,
school holiday activities (young carers
can become socially isolated due to
their caring responsibilities), driving
Jasmine (pictured in the middle) and her family are a part of the Young Carers Program, they are
pictured here with Karla Hampshire from Red Cross. Photo: Australian Red Cross.
lessons, music lessons, membership
to sports clubs, skills development
(including cooking, budgeting and
stress management), and mentoring to
assist them in their caring role.
Young carers are also recognised
nationally through the annual Young
Carers Awards. Three of the five finalist
for the 2011 Young Carer Awards were
supported by Metro South East Respite
Centre and other community services in
the region. Through awards such as
this, along with some extra help, these
young people have a chance to
complete their education and be given
some time to just be young.
The Young Carer Program is a national
program funded by the Commonwealth
Government. For further information
phone 1800 200 422.
Forecasting for natural disasters
A December briefing for Red Cross
people by experts from the Bureau of
Meteorology revealed that Australia is
experiencing a weak La Niña this
year. This likely means a less intense
season than last summer – yet still a
higher number of severe weather
events than normal. Neil Bennet from
the Bureau advised that 80 per cent
of the state is under high fire danger
this summer and that late rains have
led to higher levels of undergrowth
and grass meaning a heavier fuel
load for the season. In addition, we
can expect a higher than normal
occurrence of cyclones along the
west coast. Now is a good time to be
prepared in the event of an
emergency. Red Cross has a range
of resources to help you minimise the
disruption that an emergency may
cause. Read more on our website
and download a REDiPlan Guide at
redcross.org.au.

WA NEWS
PAGE 11
Prepared and ready
Red Cross emergency services teams make sure families are safe. Being prepared, knowing what to do and how to seek help is vital and will help
people cope better if an emergency occurs. Photo: Australian Red Cross/Tim Lofthouse.
Following an unprecedented
busy season last year, the WA
Emergency Services Team
prepared for more of the same
this year. In November 2011 fires
raged through the Margaret
River region of WA, destroying
40 homes including historic
Wallcliffe House and interrupting
power and water supplies.
We would like to thank the 39
emergency services volunteers and
18 Red Cross staff from Margaret
River, Bunbury, Dunsborough and
Bridgetown who were called upon to
provide personal support to 347
people over five days in evacuation
centres located at the Margaret River
Cultural Centre. Red Cross also
provided personal support in fireaffected
areas, and members of our
metropolitan teams helped to set up a
State Inquiry Centre taking calls from
concerned friends and relatives. In
total, 451 people were registered and
31 inquiries were taken, with seven
families reunited during the 48 hours
that the centre was active. The
Emergency Services Team has also
supported the State Manager of
Emergency Services in WA with
recovery planning, including
discussions relating to funding
support at a national level.
The community of Margaret River
have a long journey ahead of them,
with the aftermath of the fire still
visible across the landscape. A Red
Cross project officer will continue to
work closely with the Shire and other
welfare partners, aiding coordination
of outreach with the community.
The team went on Christmas break
nervously watching a tropical low that
was forming into Cyclone Grant in the
early hours of Christmas day. Staff
and volunteer teams in the West
Kimberley were placed on alert,
however we are all grateful for a quiet
Christmas and New Year as the
cyclone changed direction.
With the New Year came intense
electrical storms that passed across
the metropolitan area on 3 January,
sparking a number of fires across the
state, including one in Kewdale near
the Perth airport. Red Cross
volunteers attended an evacuation
centre in Belmont to register and
provide personal support to 53
evacuees. Once again, the fire was
brought under control quickly and no
properties were damaged.
The Emergency Services Team
continues to monitor activity across
the state, including fires around
Carnarvon and potential cyclone and
flooding in the Pilbara.
If you are an emergency services
volunteer and haven’t yet heard from
us this season, there is still a good
chance you will!
To access REDiPlan or to find out
more about becoming an emergency
services volunteer go to our website
at redcross.org.au.
Newsletter for members and volunteers

PAGE 12
WA NEWS
Mates aboard!
School leavers holidaying on Rottnest
Island late last year were met by a fun,
roving crew of people armed with safe
party messages and information to
prevent, recognise and respond to
emergencies that may result from
alcohol and other drug misuse.
The save-a-mate (SAM) Aboard project
staff and volunteers were out in force,
ready to engage with young people at the
annual WA leavers event on the island.
The SAM Aboard project encouraged
a safe environment for school leavers
to minimise the impact on the
community. SAM crews manned
information stalls at Hillarys Boat
Harbour, Fremantle B-Shed and
Fremantle Northport departure points,
providing information to young people
who were waiting to board the ferry
services. In addition, a roving SAM
crew joined school leavers on the
Rottnest Express and Rottnest Fast
Ferries services providing information
during the voyage to the island.
“Nineteen volunteers and staff
assisted over the weekend which was
a great effort,” says SAM staff
member David Worthington. “We saw
over 770 young people heading over
to Rottnest, with feedback being really
positive over the whole weekend.
Many young people and their families
commented on how important this
service is to them, especially with the
high rates of risky level drug and
alcohol use linked to these school
leaver-type celebrations.”
SAM volunteers Tina Lam and Anneliese McNeil
wait at Northpoint Ferry terminal in Fremantle,
ahead of a busy day. Photo: Australian Red
Cross/ Tim Lofthouse.
Through the dedication of Red Cross
volunteers and staff and the good
nature of the young people
themselves, SAM was able to help
school leavers celebrate their
achievements in a fun and safe way.
To find out more about the SAM
program or to volunteer visit our
website at redcross.org.au.
Pick up a bargain at the Bindaring
Clothing Sale: Saturday 19 May
The Bindaring Clothing Sale is on again,
where people looking for a bargain can
buy designer clothing on a budget.
The Bindaring Red Cross Unit has held
this annual fundraising sale since
1963. Over the years the Unit, named
after Bindaring Parade in Claremont,
has raised an astonishing $1.1 million
dollars for Red Cross.
Every year, buyers hunt through the
Ellie Eaton Pavilion in the jumble sale,
wander into the Jim Webster Pavilion
for the boutique sale, or bid on quality
designer pieces – such as Missoni,
Armani, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren,
Scanlan & Theodore and Empire Rose
– at the auction.
Funds go toward Red Cross disaster
and emergency services and our
community programs including, soup
patrol, SAM and FOODcents.
The Bindaring Clothing Sale will kick
off at the Claremont Showgrounds
from 9am on Saturday 19 May. The
Jumble Sale will begin at 9am with
clothing and accessories starting from
50 cents. The Boutique will open at
10am and an auction for designer
pieces will commence at 11.30am.
For more information, or if you would
like to donate good quality clothing or
accessories, please call Suzanne
Gibson on 08 9225 1966 or email
sgibson@redcross.org.au.
Western Australia
110 Goderich Street East Perth WA 6004
GPO Box P1239, Perth WA 6844
Telephone: (08) 9225 8888
Facsimile: (08) 9325 5112
Email: wainfo@redcross.org.au
National Office
155 Pelham Street Carlton South VIC 3053
PO Box 196 Carlton South VIC 3053
Telephone: (03) 9345 1800
Facsimile: (03) 9348 2513
Email: natinfo@redcross.org.au