Annual report - Australian Red Cross

Annual Report 

2005-2006 

Moving on after Cyclone Larry 

North Queensland, 2006

Contents 

goal 1 

7 8 

Champion 5 

humanitarian values 

International 7 

humanitarian law 

Assisting asylum seekers 8 

The gift of blood 10 

Youth & education 12 

12 

goal 2 

Assist and empower 15 

vulnerable people 

Tsunami update 16 

Emergencies 18 

Aid workers 22 

Overseas assistance 25 

Local work 30 

Statistics 40 

Partnerships 42 

goal 3 

Forge a unified, 47 

inclusive and 

sustainable movement 

Governance 48 

Financials 56 

16 18 

30 

Australian Red Cross 

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Cover Image: Dave Tacon 

Production team 

Editorial Australian Red Cross 

Design House Mouse Design 

Printing Document Printing Australia

Our Vision 

To improve the lives of vulnerable 

people in Australia and internationally 

by mobilising the power of humanity. 

Our Mission 

To be a leading humanitarian 

organisation in Australia, improving the 

lives of vulnerable people through 

services delivered and promotion of 

humanitarian laws and values. 

7 Fundamental Principles 

In all activities our volunteers and staff are guided by the Fundamental Principles 

of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 

Humanity 

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring 

assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, 

in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering 

wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and ensure 

respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship 

co-operation and lasting peace amongst all people. 

Impartiality 

It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political 

opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by 

their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress. 

Neutrality 

In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take 

sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, 

religious or ideological nature. 

Independence 

The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the 

humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their 

respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy that they may be able 

at all times to act in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Movement. 

Voluntary Service 

It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire or gain. 

Unity 

There can be only one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in any one country. 

It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory. 

Universality 

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies 

have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, 

is worldwide. 

Executive message 

For many Australians, the past year will 

be remembered for its cyclones, floods 

and fires. Most significantly of course, 

Cyclone Larry, which tore through North 

Queensland in March 2006, leaving a 

level of destruction not seen since Tracy 

in 1974. 

For those worst affected, it will be years 

before they fully recover. But what will 

remain for some 300 Red Cross staff 

and volunteers who fronted the 

response was the extraordinary strength 

of spirit amongst people like Frank 

Sciacca, pictured here on the front cover 

as he prepares for his first harvest since 

the disaster. 

Five months earlier, when an earthquake 

measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale 

struck a remote region of Pakistan we 

were truly humbled by the strength of 

our own Movement as we saw Red 

Cross and Red Crescent workers risk 

their own lives to save others in the 

most challenging and difficult of 

circumstances. With 3.5 million 

homeless, 73,000 dead and 128,000 

injured the scale was unimaginable, but 

a swift and coordinated emergency 

response prevented many more deaths. 

The foundations of effective response on 

any scale are solid planning and clearly 

defined goals. During the past year 

Australian Red Cross has worked 

strategically toward three goals that 

marry local activity with the Fundamental 

Principles that serve the Movement so 

well when disaster strikes. 

We have recorded the highlights of the 

past year in the coming pages alongside 

these goals and they will continue to 

underpin our work throughout the year 

to come. We look forward to realising 

them with the help of staff, Board and 

committee members, our membership 

around the country, our donors and the 

volunteers who embody the power of 

humanity by giving so generously of 

themselves. 

Greg Vickery 

Chairman 

Robert Tickner 

CEO 

Annual Report 2005-06 

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goals 

1. champion humanitarian values for the 

protection of life, health and human 

dignity through promotion, education 

and advocacy 

2. assist and empower vulnerable people, 

especially those most in need in 

Australia and in the Asia-Pacific 

region, in their everyday lives 

and in times of crisis 

3. forge a unified, inclusive and 

sustainable movement, soundly 

managed and financially secure, 

which reflects our country’s diversity 


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goal 1 

champion humanitarian values for the 

protection of life, health and human 

dignity through promotion, education 

and advocacy 


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Advocacy on behalf of humanity 

The humanitarian services provided by 

Australian Red Cross are widely known, 

but awareness of our advocacy on 

behalf of vulnerable people at home 

and abroad is much less known. 

There are two reasons for this: in 

contrast to the commonly understood 

meaning of the term ‘advocacy’ as 

public campaigning, many successful 

Red Cross advocacy activities take 

place in confidence and, secondly, 

there is a misperception that the 

organisation’s Fundamental Principles 

of ‘impartiality’ and ‘neutrality’ prohibit 

advocacy, which is not the case. 

Some examples of advocacy in action 

over the past year illustrate this: 

Around the country, Red Cross 

draws the attention of government 

and agencies to the health and 

welfare needs of people in 

immigration detention and of asylum 

seekers who are not entitled to 

work or to social security. 

In South Australia, Red Cross is 

represented on a state committee 

for the annual Anti-Poverty Week in 

October, which encourages schools 

and other agencies to raise 

awareness of poverty and the ways 

we can work together to prevent 

such hardships. 

In the Northern Territory’s Tiwi 

Islands, Red Cross supports 

meetings of the ‘Strong Women’s 

Group’, which are often attended by 

government officials both as a 

forum for them to consult and to 

hear the issues facing the women 

and their families. 

In the Australian Capital Territory 

Red Cross volunteers and staff 

working in the community follow up 

concerns from clients about various 

providers with the agencies 

concerned or refer them to 

appropriate agencies. 

At a national level, Red Cross 

engages with the Australian 

government and government 

agencies on key issues of 

relevance. In the past year this 

included representations on 

weapons and treaties and weapons 

control, and the ‘fair trial’ 

requirements for people detained for 

the alleged commission of crimes in 

the fight against terrorism. 


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Profile 

Mallesons Stephens Jaques leading the way in advocating volunteerism 

Promoting volunteerism is an advocacy role that has been taken on with gusto by Australian Red Cross’ longest term 

corporate partner, Mallesons Stephens Jaques. 

Nominated during the year for the Prime Minister’s Awards for excellence in Community Business Partnerships 

for longevity, in recognition of their long term relationship with Red Cross, Mallesons have actively encouraged 25 percent of staff 

to get involved in volunteering for Red Cross programs like the Good Start Breakfast Club for kids who would otherwise go 

without breakfast (pictured). 

The firm also enables staff members to 

provide free legal information and 

advice on site at Brisbane’s Red Cross 

Night Café for young homeless people, 

and to make calls from the workplace 

each day through Red Cross’ Telecross 

program to elderly and isolated people 

living alone to check on their wellbeing. 

In addition to their substantial 

workplace giving financial donations 

and free legal work each year for Red 

Cross, Mallesons staff are helping to 

advocate for volunteerism by example.

International Humanitarian Law 

Protecting civilians in times of conflict – live debate 

Some of Australia’s most prominent legal, military and academic minds came together with the Australian Red Cross in Melbourne 

on the anniversary of the Nuremburg Trials in October 2005 to consider the most pressing humanitarian issues arising from current 

conflicts. 

Moderated by SBS newsreader Anton Enus, a live stage hypothetical ‘All’s Fair in Law and War,’ considered a fictitious conflict 

where the use of cluster bombs in urban areas led to the death of a large number of civilians – the so-called ‘collateral damage’ 

of modern urban conflicts. 

Over 700 people attended and the event highlighted all the basic principles of 

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly that all civilians must be respected 

and protected in times of conflict. 

Role of Red Cross in 2005-2006 

The Red Cross continues to provide a variety of training programs and activities 

in Australia designed to promote understanding and respect for IHL. 

These include discussions with government ministers and agencies on issues 

such as the legal requirements for trials of detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, 

participation in military exercises, briefings for federal police officers deployed 

to the Solomon Islands and PNG, lectures at universities and public events 

such as hypotheticals. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the ‘guardian’ of the 

Geneva conventions protecting civilians in conflict. Red Cross and Red Crescent 

Societies around the world have a mandate to increase the understanding of 

these laws in their communities. 

Red Crystal 

recognised 

Did you know that the instantly 

recognisable red cross on a white 

background is one of the world’s most 

powerful symbols, meaning ‘don’t shoot!’ 

in 350 languages 

In 2006, the Red Crystal was recognised 

by the Movement as an additional 

protective emblem to the Red Cross and 

the Red Crescent. The Red Crystal will be 

used in countries where existing emblems 

are not accepted or existing emblems may 

not provide sufficient protection. 

Boris Heger/ICRC 


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Assisting asylum seekers, 

refugees and immigration 

detainees 

Assisting asylum seekers, refugees 

and immigration detainees 

Australian Red Cross provides 

assistance to eligible asylum seekers 

living in the community who have 

a current Protection (Refugee) Visa 

application. The Asylum Seeker 

Assistance Scheme was established 

in 1992 and is funded through the 

Department of Immigration and 

Multicultural Affairs. 


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Since July 2005, Red Cross has 

taken a leading role in providing 

for immigration detainees under 

the Australian Government’s new 

‘residence determination’ provisions, 

again funded by the Department. 

Case workers coordinate welfare 

assistance including housing, 

health care and education. 

Community care pilot 

In May 2006 Red Cross was engaged 

as the lead agency in a Community 

Care pilot to improve the health and 

welfare of vulnerable people in 

Australia’s immigration system. 

The pilot is expected to show that if 

people are given adequate support 

during the immigration process, then 

they will be in a better mental, 

emotional and physical state to handle 

the decisions. 

Dave Tacon 

Responding to community needs 

During the past 12 months Red Cross has also worked with community welfare 

agencies – in particular the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture and the 

Department – to support former immigration detainees resettled from the Nauru 

Offshore Processing Facility in October 2005, and West Papuan refugees relocated 

from Christmas Island in April 2006. 

Red Cross also assisted the East Timorese evacuated to Australia as a result of 

the recent conflict in May 2006. Support provided included accommodation, food, 

health care and general orientation into the community. 

Profile 

Leanne Robinson is an exceptional young woman. When the 23-year-old PhD 

student isn’t conducting research into malaria immunology, she gives up her 

weekends to assist recently arrived refugees settle into their new lives in Melbourne. 

Last year Red Cross volunteers assisted more than 700 people settling in Victoria. 

Support included outreach and orientation in the local community, household 

goods, work preparation and employment assistance. 

‘As part of the outreach and orientation team, I help newly arrived refugees find 

their way around. I show the clients around the public transport system or 

accompany them to appointments and just give advice on services available,’ 

says Leanne. 

Leanne’s dedicated service earned her a place representing Australian Red Cross 

at the Turkish Red Crescent’s Youth Camp in Istanbul. The aim of these 

international conferences is to give young volunteers the opportunity to share their 

volunteering experiences, learn new skills and to bring fresh ideas back to their 

local Red Cross or Red Crescent Society. 

Image: Leanne Robinson and Gökhan, a Turkish Red Crescent team leader 

at the Turkish Red Crescent Youth Camp in Istanbul.


holds inaugural 

conference 

For the first time in its history, Australian 

Red Cross held a national conference in 

November 2005. The conference provided 

a rare opportunity for Pacific Red Cross 

Societies to come together and exchange 

information and ideas. 

Australian Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner. 

Representatives of the Fiji Red Cross, Papua New Guinea Red Cross and the Solomon Islands Red Cross took part in 

the two-day event in Melbourne, along with some 300 volunteers, staff, members and guest speakers. 

During the conference, Leon Prop, head of the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies delegation in the 

Pacific, highlighted the common challenges Pacific nations face, such as geographical isolation and growing populations which, 

coupled with poor access to basic services and fragile ecosystems, compound problems in the region. 

While acknowledging common problems, Alison Cupit, Secretary-General of the Fiji 

Red Cross Society, and her counterpart from the Papua New Guinea Red Cross, 

Jacquie Boga, discussed approaches to their most pressing individual issues 

including escalating rates of HIV/AIDS infection facing Papua New Guinea. 

Also taking part in the conference was Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, 

Jackie Higgins, who spoke passionately about the important role Red Cross 

can play in helping Indigenous Australians. 

‘Indigenous disadvantage is a tough one – there’s no denying that… But I’m 

here to tell you that it’s time to take this stuff on in a new way. It’s time to look 

at where we’ve failed and to use those lessons, along with more recent 

successes, to engage with Indigenous communities in ways that will 

undoubtedly generate change.’ 

Image: Youth delegates of the National 

Conference used performance art to 

express themselves. 

The national conference also coincided with the Red Cross youth conference 

where 32 youth delegates turned to hip hop, performance and aerosol art to 

explore relevant ways to connect with other young people and encourage 

them to get involved. 

After planning, workshops, writing, painting, dancing and rapping, the youth 

delegates from across the country joined the main conference to raise the 

roof at the closing ceremony with a live performance and graffiti display. 


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The gift of blood 

Together with its voluntary donors, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) 

plays a significant role in the quality and safety of the Australian health system. 

The ARCBS vision is to share life’s best gift by providing quality blood products, tissues 

and related services for the benefit of the community. Every year, thousands of people 

benefit from blood transfusions or blood products, resulting in the lives of many being 

saved and a significant improvement in the quality of life of others. 

Profile 

Travelling man 

After almost half a century, some 600 sandwiches and more than 48,000 kilometres, 

a South Australia man has clocked up an incredible 300 donations with the Australian 

Red Cross Blood Service. This equates to the lives of hundreds of people having been 

improved – or saved – as a result of Des Gregg's awe-inspiring contribution. 

Des, now 71 years old, became a blood donor in his 20s while working for Telecom. 

The telecommunications company encouraged employees to give blood by allowing 

half a day off for its Murray Bridge workers to travel to Adelaide and donate, a practice 

continued by Telstra today. 

Des and his wife Barb were personally touched by the need for blood when Barb was 

involved in a horrific car accident and required a transfusion herself. Ten years ago Des 

made the decision to become a plasma donor and, ever since, every fortnight he 

dutifully drives the round trip from Murray Bridge to Adelaide to honour his pledge. 

A familiar face at the Pirie Street Donor Centre, Des is regarded with affection by both 

staff and volunteers where he enjoys double helpings of refreshments as a small 

reward for his long drive to donate and his consistent level of devotion to the task. 

While Des is openly proud of his special sandwich status, he is humble about reaching 

his donation milestone. ‘It was always my goal to reach 300,’ he says. ‘My wife is also 

now very close to reaching the 300 mark. I always say I feel better after I have donated. 

That feeling might be partly psychological, but my wife and I agree that we always feel 

better afterwards.’ 

Currently, all plasma collected by the 

Blood Service is sent to an Australian 

company, CSL Limited, for fractionation. 

A review of that arrangement, however, 

is underway as part of the Australian 

Government’s commitment under the 

Australia-United States Free Trade 

Agreement (AUSFTA), which will 

determine whether the fractionation 

process should be opened up to 

competition. 

The ARCBS position is that fractionation 

of plasma sourced from donors in 

Australia should be undertaken in 

Australia, to ensure that Australia meets 

its obligations as a member of the World 

Health Organisation, and to ensure that 

the country continues to have one of 

the safest blood supply systems in 

the world. 

Nationwide research in April 2006 

revealed that 96 per cent of blood 

donors and non-donors preferred that 

blood and blood products collected by 

the Blood Service stayed in Australia. 

The research showed that 95 per cent 

of existing donors, and 91 per cent of 

non-donors, supported the role of 

voluntary, unpaid donors as the basis 

for a safe and secure blood supply. 

ARCBS also detailed other concerns 

about offshore fractionation, including 

transport and logistical costs, national 

security, Australian capability and, 

importantly, the impact on our donors. 

The outcome of the review of existing 

fractionation arrangements is expected 

in late 2006. Australian Red Cross, along 

with the ARCBS, will be taking a strong 

interest in its recommendations. 


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Save-a-mate 

The continued expansion of Australian Red Cross’ save-a-mate (SAM) program 

addresses a very real need in the community – the prevention and minimisation 

of drug and alcohol emergencies. 

This year 270 volunteers were recruited and trained to provide drug and alcohol 

education to people across the country, focussing on youth at risk, school children, 

rural and remote indigenous communities, inmates in correctional facilities, 

young offenders, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, sex workers, streetbased 

injecting drug users and residents in drug rehabilitation centres. More than 

700 courses were delivered this year to help young people learn how they can 

prevent, respond to, and manage, drug and alcohol-related emergencies. In total, 

7,500 young people benefited from peer education, more than double the figure of 

last year. Central to the program is a presence at events - almost half-a-million 

patrons attended events at which SAM peer educators were present. It is estimated 

that more than 10,000 young people were reached at 141 events. 

save-a-mate launched in 

Northern Territory and 

Australian Capital Territory 

The save-a-mate program was 

introduced in the Northern Territory 

in April 2006 when the remote 

indigenous community, Maningrida, 

hosted a unique Red Cross drug and 

alcohol first aid education initiative as 

part of its National Youth Week 

celebrations. Students from the 

Maningrida Community Education 

Centre took part in the program where 

they learned how to prevent and 

respond to emergencies that might 

arise from using alcohol and other 

drugs. 

In Canberra, the program was 

launched during National Youth Week 

in which 20 volunteers distributed 

peer education material to around 

2,000 young residents. 

‘At the Festival I was handed a 

booklet which came in very useful as 

my mate passed out from overheating 

and the responses listed in the 

booklet allowed me to respond to the 

emergency efficiently. I want to be able 

to do the same thing for others by 

handing out those booklets and giving 

advice to people who could end up in 

the same situation.’– 17-year-old male 


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Youth and education 

More than ever, the energy and passion that drives young people are vital ingredients for Australian Red Cross. 

With this in mind, the organisation determined that there must be more ways to involve youth. In the last year, a comprehensive 

review of the National Youth programs was undertaken. It investigated the most effective methods and structures to engage 

young people in the organisation and to provide avenues for young people to respond to vulnerability in their communities locally, 

nationally and internationally. 

Another exciting outcome for youth participation has been Red Cross’ endorsement of Foundations for Engaging Young People, 

the organisation’s policy on youth. This is a major step forward in recognising the ways in which young people contribute as 

volunteers and members as well as taking a role in governance through the National Youth Advisory Committee and the State 

Youth Advisory Committees. 

Some of the highlights for young people and Red Cross this year include: 

The National Poster Competition. With its theme, One Red Cross Many Faces, 

it attracted entries from 1,600 clever and creative young artists. 

Through the International Youth Project, young people around Australia raised 

funds to supply a Solomon Islands village with emergency relief items. 

In the aftermath of Cyclone Larry, the Silkwood Junior Red Cross group 

demonstrated the skills they had gained – they were enthusiastic and very 

capable volunteers, helping to pack emergency boxes and hand out food. 

Far North Queensland Red Cross Youth Group was the first to respond to 

Babinda, assessing needs and feeding local residents affected by Cyclone Larry. 

Five young Australians represented Red Cross at international events hosted 

by Red Cross in Japan, the USA and Israel. 

Image: Wonsun Jin of NSW was the Henry Dunant winner of 

the 2006 National Poster Competition. 


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YConnect in Victoria 

While many believe Generation Y-ers are busy watching reality TV and writing incomprehensible text messages, Australian 

Red Cross figures show that they are in fact making a contribution to their communities and helping vulnerable people. 

In the past year, the number of young Red Cross volunteers aged 18-35 in Victoria increased by 28 per cent. 

Most have joined as members of YConnect, a group set up to provide young volunteers with opportunities 

that are flexible enough to fit into busy lifestyles. The young volunteers report that they are attracted by the sense 

of belonging they get from their activities and the opportunity it gives them to meet other volunteers their age. 

Profile 

Vinay Menon 

19-year-old Vinay Menon is one of the most prominent advocates for Red Cross 

youth today. His volunteer contribution is incredible – a young man of both thought 

and action. His ability to effectively network and lead among his peers has 

significantly contributed to increasing the number of youth involved in Red Cross. 

Vinay is Deputy Chair of both the Western Australian and National Youth 

Advisory Councils. 

When he’s not speaking at public forums for Oxfam, or diligently studying as a 

medical student at the University of Western Australia, he’s typically working on 

youth policy strategies and working out how to engage greater numbers of youth 

within the Red Cross Movement. Recently, Vinay helped to coordinate the 

HumanARTarian street art competition, which saw young artists take to centre 

stage in the hub of Perth city to depict one of the Red Cross Fundamental 

Principles in under ten minutes. He is trained as an Emergency Services volunteer, 

and frequently spends time at Lady Lawley Cottage in Perth helping to brighten the 

day of children with severe and complex disabilities. 

Image: The HumanARTarian 

street art competition is one 

of Vinay Menon’s many 

volunteer initiatives. 


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EnergyAustralia Red Cross Youth Challenge 

Now in its fourth year, the EnergyAustralia Red Cross Youth Challenge once again encouraged youth in New South Wales 

to ‘take up the challenge’ by researching, designing and implementing a project that would assist their community. 

Some of the highlights of the program over the past year have been: 

The launch of the program in Bathurst, with representatives from six schools 

participating in a presentation and workshop attended by Youth Challenge 

Ambassador, Greg Mathews. 

The successful integration of the program into other Red Cross services, 

particularly in the Greater Western Sydney Region. Youth Challenge students 

helped door knock, organised blood donor drives, donated items for asylum 

seekers and volunteered at Good Start Breakfast Clubs. 

The New South Wales Government used the Youth Challenge program as a case 

study during the ‘Respect & Responsibility’ forum in May 2006, hosted by the 

Board of Studies. 

The second Annual Youth Challenge Awards were held in August 2005 at 

Taronga Zoo and schools from metropolitan areas as well as regional and rural 

New South Wales competed for a range of awards. The overall winning school 

was Moss Vale High from the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. 

Aidan Smith from Goulburn received the Peer Award at the 2005 awards and 

subsequently went to Japan on an International Red Cross student exchange. 

ANZAC Day Memorial 

During ANZAC day, about 50 youth volunteers braved a cold winter’s morning to 

attend the Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. It was the first 

time the youth arm of the Red Cross had been involved with the memorial service. 

Lannon Harley 


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goal 2 

assist and empower vulnerable people, 

especially those most in need in 

Australia and in the Asia-Pacific region, 

in their everyday lives and in times of crisis 

Dave Tacon 


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Tsunami update 

It is almost two years since the 2004 tsunami hit the coast of 12 countries, taking the lives of over 230,000 people and causing 

billions of dollars in damage. A disaster that took only an hour to unfold became Australian Red Cross’ third largest disaster 

response of all time – surpassed only by two world wars. 

Red Cross raised $120 million in Australia through the Tsunami Appeal, and has now allocated or spent more than $118 million 

or 98 per cent of the funds. 

Case study 

Nias Island – a community reborn 

Nias Island, off the north-west coast 

of Sumatra, was devastated by the 

tsunami of December 2004. 

But before a single foundation was 

laid or supporting beam erected in 

the reconstruction phase, 

Red Cross and the Zero to One 

Foundation worked with community 

leaders to discuss local needs. 

Elders and heads of households 

joined together to debate 

and discuss the issues. 

People were asked whether they 

wanted timber or concrete houses, 

whether it was acceptable to 

build houses away from roads or 

the sea, and they approved 

proposed housing designs. 

In all Australian Red Cross helped build 

254 houses, nine bridges, two schools, 

three clean water systems and one 

first aid centre on Nias. The project 

has now been completed and families 

have moved into their new homes and 

are re-building their community. 

Rehabilitation and recovery 

According to Chris Staines, General Manager of the Tsunami Team, the focus now 

for Red Cross and other aid organisations is on re-establishing the social, physical 

and economic assets of tsunami-affected communities and on stabilising their 

condition. 

‘Red Cross aid workers are involved in a wide range of rehabilitation and recovery 

programs. We are helping people re-build their livelihoods, building permanent 

housing, redeveloping water and sanitation systems, running health programs, 

offering psychosocial support and helping communities prepare themselves for 

future disasters,’ says Staines. 

An ongoing commitment 

Although the recovery effort has gained significant momentum, major challenges 

still remain and every new stage of the process brings with it new complexities, 

according to Staines. 

‘Recovery and reconstruction are not one-dimensional – they are physical, 

psychological, economic and environmental. Recovery and reconstruction must 

also be aligned with local plans and priorities. Communities decide how they want 

their new cities and towns to look.’ 

Working on this vision is a fundamental part of the healing process, says Staines, 

and the close working relationship with the Indonesian Red Cross and local 

authorities highlights the importance of community ownership. 

For more information on the tsunami response, visit www.redcross.org.au 

Image below: The construction of 254 houses on Nias Island is now complete and families 

have begun to move into their new homes. 


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Indonesia 

$47.7 million in expenditure and 

commitments 

Housing has the largest sector 

expenditure at 78 per cent. 

Reconstruction of 254 houses on 

the remote and isolated Nias Island 

Commitment to build hundreds of 

permanent houses in Banda Aceh 

700 Transitional Living Shelters 

including clean water, drainage and 

sanitation facilities and health 

education 

Community planting of mangroves, 

community mud crab and fisheries, 

community cocoa plantations to 

rebuild sustainable livelihoods 

Development of the Ambulance 

Service in Nanggroe Aceh 

Darussalam (NAD) Province 

Five-year project to support the 

development of the Blood Services 

in NAD Province 

Support of HIV/AIDS program 

in NAD Province 

Training staff in pharmacy warehouse 

management on Sinabang, Simeulue 

Island, and the distribution of free 

quality medical supplies 

Reducing the incidence of 

water-borne disease for 

7,900 people, comprising 

1,700 households in 16 villages. 

Sri Lanka 

$22.8 million in expenditure and commitments 

Housing has the largest sector expenditure at 63 per cent. 

Safe and sustainable water supply for 350 tsunami-displaced families 

Construction of a 20m water tower, water treatment plant, pump house and 

piped water network to support 500 houses 

Training and support to 150 farmers to restore soil quality 

Potable water to over 450 tsunami-affected people on a daily basis 

Installation of chlorine gas regulators in water treatment plants 

Rainwater Harvesting System to supply water for hygiene and drinking with 

quality testing purposes to nine schools 

Eye care treatment to over 30,000 people 

Construction and maintenance of sanitation facilities, toilets, showers, 

drainage and potable water for displaced people at camps 

Permanent housing for 42 homes under an owner-driven model. 

Maldives 

$10.5 million in expenditure and 

commitments 

$7.5 million has been directed towards 

a project to clean up tsunami waste 

from 74 tsunami-affected islands 

including: 

15 Waste Management Centres, 

14 of which have been handed 

over to island communities 

Education sessions on waste 

management to over 1,100 

participants on 15 islands 

$3 million has been spent on 

a supplementary water supply 

system (emergency water supply). 


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Emergencies in AUstralia 

Australian Red Cross’ response to Cyclone Larry and the Katherine floods in the past year highlighted our ability 

to work closely and quickly with local communities, emergency authorities and government to help those most in 

need during an emergency. 

Case study 

Responding to the 

Victorian bushfire crisis 

At the end of January 2006, bushfires 

raged across Victoria. While fire fighters 

battled the flames, teams of Red Cross 

volunteers worked in sweltering conditions, 

assisting local communities by feeding 

hungry fire fighters, bandaging burns and 

comforting traumatised evacuees. 

Up to 2,000 volunteers gave up their time 

to assist threatened communities. One of 

the largest tasks was to serve more than 

30,000 meals across 15 locations, from 

Hall’s Gap to Yea, helping to revive the 

energy and spirits of the fire fighters. 

Red Cross volunteers also registered about 

500 evacuees across the state, and first aid 

volunteers treated a number of fire fighters 

for smoke-related injuries, ensuring they 

were able to get on with their important 

and lifesaving work. 

Cyclone Larry 

Early on 20 March 2006, tropical Cyclone Larry crossed the North 

Queensland coast, lashing small communities with 290km-an-hour winds 

and leaving behind a trail of destruction. 

This disaster quickly turned into one of Australia’s largest scale 

emergencies. Red Cross responded by mobilising teams of staff and 

volunteers into the field on a 24 hour basis and drawing upon a national 

base of staff and volunteers in a truly unified approach. 

Executive Director of Red Cross in Queensland, Greg Goebel, said 

cooperation with government and other emergency agencies was the 

starting point for a successful working partnership as recovery efforts got 

underway. Red Cross mobilised over 80 staff from offices around Australia. 

Over 700 people responded to Red Cross’ call for volunteers. Of those, 

430 were sent to the disaster area. 

44 Red Cross staff and 

21 volunteers based at Police 

Headquarters in Brisbane received 

4,434 inquiries regarding missing 

persons. 

Over 60,000 kilometres were 

travelled by staff and volunteers 

during the relief effort. 

Outreach teams made 3,000 visits 

across 30 towns, distributed 1,500 

food parcels and made 135 referrals 

to other agencies. 

Image: Red Cross volunteers 

setting up evacuation centres. 


P18

Profile 

David Marks lends a hand 

In the aftermarth of Cyclone Larry, 

Australian Red Cross Disaster Services 

Coordinator from Tasmania, 

David Marks, joined forces with other 

staff and volunteers in the Innisfail area. 

David’s role was to help man an 

evacuation centre during the evenings, 

registering evacuees and identifying their 

needs. David and a group of volunteers 

also went doorknocking in the area to 

see if anyone needed help. In one 

instance, an elderly woman had lost 

power to her home and was recovering 

from a recent stroke, so a hot shower at 

the evacuation centre and a shoulder to 

lean on came at just the right time. 

Image: David inspecting 

an abandoned home in 

Innisfail. 

Tunbridge Dam – pressure mounting 

Late on Friday 14 October 2005, 

the Tunbridge Irrigation Dam in the 

midlands of Tasmania, north of Hobart, 

began to show signs of cracking. 

At full capacity, the earth-filled dam can 

store approximately 6,800 mega litres. 

It has a surface area of 69 hectares, 

with walls as high as 28 metres. 

Red Cross was activated by the 

Department of Health & Human 

Services to assist with registering 

evacuees in the region. In the hours 

that followed, around 40 people living 

close to the dam were evacuated from 

their properties to the safety of the 

nearby football ground and given 

shelter. 

Katherine Floods 

After hundreds were forced to flee flood 

waters, Red Cross helped establish an 

evacuation centre at Katherine High 

School, providing shelter and food to 

almost 700 evacuees. 

Susanne Brown, of Red Cross in 

Katherine, said the response to the 

flood highlighted the strength of the 

community to work together in times 

of crisis. 'While our effort required 

significant input from staff and 

volunteers, we were just one of many 

agencies working together in tough 

conditions. This is an excellent example 

of how this tight-knit community bands 

together to take care of each other.’ 

Red Cross volunteers also operated 

the National Registration and Inquiry 

System, capturing the details of 

those who were evacuated from 

flood-affected areas and ensuring 

that loved ones were able to keep 

abreast of their movements. In total, 

1,120 registrations were taken from 

the four evacuation centres. 

Emergency Management Australia 

Grants 

A number of national and state-based 

projects have been funded under 


Local Grants and National Emergency 

Volunteer Support Fund Grant 

schemes. These projects will enable 

further development of Red Cross 

work in areas including: 

management of spontaneous 

volunteers involved in post-disaster 

relief and recovery activity 

personal support 

equipping volunteers for activation 

volunteer recruitment 

Vulnerable Persons Program 

in Australian Capital Territory. 


P19

Emergencies overseas 


with a number of Red Cross and 

Red Crescent societies to provide 

disaster relief to those hardest hit by 

emergencies across the globe this year. 

Pakistan 

Australian Red Cross supported long-term recovery efforts in the areas worst hit 

by the Pakistan earthquake on 8 October 2005 by launching the Asia Earthquake 

Appeal and deploying 22 aid workers to the region. 

According to official estimates, the disaster left at least 73,000 people dead, 

128,000 injured and some 3.5 million homeless. It devastated 30,000 square 

kilometres, primarily in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the North West Frontier 

Province. Over 70 per cent of dwellings in the affected areas were destroyed, 

with those left standing often damaged in some way. A total of 365 hospitals 

and basic health care units were ruined. 

During the initial emergency phase of the operation, the International Red Cross 

and Red Crescent Movement provided assistance to over 960,000 people in North 

West Frontier Province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This involved 18,000 

tonnes of aid, such as 70,000 winterised tents and 466,000 blankets. In addition, 

approximately 227,000 patients received medical assistance at Red Cross Red 

Crescent emergency response units, field hospitals and mobile health facilities. 

Image: Barber Shop – Shattered by 

the earthquake, life goes on for the people 

of Balakot, once a popular alpine tourist 

destination in Pakistan’s North West Frontier 

Province. 


P20 

Ian Woolverton/Federation

Indonesia 

Australian Red Cross has continued 

to support Indonesia, through its 

long-term collaboration with the 

Indonesian Red Cross and disaster 

management support. 

Ian Woolverton/Federation 

The strength of this collaborative 

response to emergencies was 

highlighted when an earthquake hit 

Yogyakarta on 27 May 2006, killing 

more than 5,740 people and leaving 

over one million homeless. 

The Red Cross response to the quake 

was swift and decisive, according to 

the CEO of Australian Red Cross, 

Robert Tickner. 

'More than 400 Red Cross volunteers 

and staff were immediately deployed to 

the quake zone, along with Red Cross 

medical experts and a rapid 

assessment team,' he said. 

'As ever, Red Cross and the global 

Red Cross family stands as one to 

provide meaningful and lasting 

support to the people of Indonesia 

and our sister society, the Indonesian 

Red Cross.' 

Red Cross launched the 'Indonesian 

Disaster Appeal’ in support of the 

global emergency appeal of the 

International Federation of Red Cross 

and Red Crescent Societies on 

29 May 2006. 

Image: Health coordinator, Norma McRae, works eighteen-hour days to ensure Red Cross 

Red Crescent health teams from all over the world direct assistance where it is needed most. 

Sudan – the forgotten crisis 

With the number of displaced people increasing four-fold since 2004, Sudan 

remains the largest operation worldwide for the International Commitee of the 

Red Cross (ICRC), largely because of the ongoing violence in Darfur. 

Working with the ICRC and Sudanese Red Crescent, Australian Red Cross and 

the British Red Cross provide basic health services, feeding centres for severely 

malnourished children and rehabilitation of clean drinking water to some 100,000 

internally displaced people around Gereida in South Sudan. 

Funds raised by International Emergency Appeals 

Funds raised and spent as at 30 June 2006 

Includes donations from the public and government grants from AusAID 

8,443,598 

7,749,334 

funds raised 

funds spent 

1,582,354 

1,083,910 

1,077,980 

598,425 

612,949 

421,010 

545,978 545,978 

331,625 200,000 

Asia Earthquake 

(Pakistan) 

Indonesia Darfur Niger Hurricane Katrina Timor Leste 


P21

Aid workers overseas 

In times of crisis, conflict and disaster 

around the world, one of the priorities 

of Australian Red Cross is to rapidly 

deploy aid workers to those areas. 

With little more than the Red Cross 

emblem for protection, these highly 

trained women and men work to relieve 

suffering alongside partners, staff and 

volunteers of Red Cross and Red 

Crescent National Societies around 

the world. 

Australia’s exceptional array of aid 

workers is drawn from every state 

and territory. While all have proven 

experience in their chosen fields, other 

qualities that are essential in a Red 

Cross aid worker include compassion, 

highly developed conflict resolution and 

negotiation skills, the capacity to 

handle extreme stress, the ability to 

adapt to different environments and 

cultures and a true empathy with the 

fundamental principles of Red Cross. 

) 


P22 

Afghanistan • Agnes Marie Beaton-Health • Kirrily Anne Clarke-Surgical Ward Nurse • Margaret May 

Duncan-Hubbs-Health • Elizabeth (Avril) Patterson-Teaching Nurse • Nerissa Walton-Hygiene Promoter Angola 

• Jessica Lee Letch-Tracing Burundi • Marc Beuniche-Agronomist • Philippa (Pip) Jane Nicholson-Health 

Cambodia • Scott Andrew Tind Simmons-Head of Delegation China • Jean Allen-Primary Health Care 

• Kathryn Clarkson-Water & Sanitation • Penny Elghady-HIV/AIDS Evaluation Consultant • Glenn King-HIV Technical Advisor 

• Margaret Leigh Richardson-Health • Nicola Michelle Slavin-CBDP Evaluation • Kenneth David Swann-Advisor 

Congo • Rebecca Dodd-Detention East Timor • Matija Barisic-Tracing & Detention • Marek Jakub Komarzynski-Water 

& Sanitation Eritrea • Hamish Lindsay-Tracing Ethiopia • Kerry Page-Health • Aengus Ryan-Water & Habitat Engineer 

• Catherine Patricia Salmon-Health • Sarah Jan Wilson-Economic Security Coordinator Fiji • Martin Blackgrove-Technical 

Advisor • Martin Blackgrove-Regional Disaster Manager • Elizabeth Kennedy-Pacific HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor 

Indonesia • Ahmose Abrahim-Logistican • Don Atkinson-Water & Sanitation Coordinator • Amara Bains-Consultant 

• Javier Barrera-Liaison & Head of Mission • Elizabeth (Libby) Anne Bowell-Health • Elizabeth (Libby) Anne Bowell-Health 

Coordinator • Margaret Anne Brewster-Field Nurse • Phillip Chapman-Construction Project Manager • Phillip James 

Charlesworth-Office Manager • Phillip James Charlesworth-Head of Sub Delegation • Brian Clark-Laboratory Technician 

• Kerrie Collett-Finance • Sarah Mair Davies-Water and Sanitation • Claire Jane Davis-Coordination • Jelma De La Pena-Head 

of Office • Marc Dickens-Logistics Coordinator • Paul Drossou-Livelihood • Alejandra Judith Efron-Logistican 

• Andrew Gardiner-Head of Office • Michael Hodges-Water & Sanitation • Valerie Mary Hunnam-Administration • Valerie Mary 

Hunnam-Head of Support Services • Kathleen (Kate) Introna-Health • David Jones-Technical Advisor / Blood 

• Steve Joske-Country Manager • Patrick Timothy Keenan-Surgeon • Marek Jakub Komarzynski-Water & Sanitation 

• Michael John Lynch-Country Manager • Valerie Malka-Surgeon • Maria Ascension Martinez-Program Manager 

• Amanda Louise McClelland-Health • Lynne McCormack-Psycho / Social Evaluator • Leanne McKenry-Field Nurse 

• Karen Medica-Blood Projects Manager • Damien Morley-Construction • David Brian Mullany-Finance • Linda O'Brien-Heath 

• Gregory (Greg) Marcus Platt-Logistics & Security • Gregory (Greg) Marcus Platt-Logistics Coordinator • Jodie Ranford-First 

Aid • Anthony Reidpath-Logistics Coordinator • Gajan Sivandran-Water & Sanitation • Jean Spinks-Medical Logistics 

Ivory Coast • Nicole Wendy Hogg-Polyvalent Kenya • Ruth Bullen-Heath • Kamaran Dogramaci-Logistics Coordinator 

• Feonagh Campbell Cooke-EPI Seminar Facilitator • Ruth Jebb-Surgical Ward Nurse • Kathleen Agnes Loadsman-Ward Nurse 

• Tererai Peter Matambo-Operating Theatre Nurse • Debbie Jane Rickard-Surgical Ward Nurse • Catherine Patricia Salmon- 

Health • Sandra Maree White-Medical Logistician Liberia • Kirrily Anne Clarke-Health • Jennifer Anne Crump-Economic 

Security Coordinator • Noela Isobel Rae Davies-Health • Bronwyn Jackson-Medical Logistics • Kirsty Maree Jones-Water 

& Sanitation • Jacqui Symonds-WATHAB Hygiene Promoter Malaysia • Lynne Antcliffe-Tracing • Anna Jenkins-Tracing 

Maldives • Anthony Simon (Tony) Belcher-Water & Sanitation • Selina Chan-Water & Sanitation • Kathryn Clarkson-Water 

& Sanitation Coordinator • Gordon Thomas Ewers-Waste Management Technician • Kerry Gartland-Community Liaison 

Assistant • Kirsty Maree Jones-Waste Management Technician • Rachael Louise Siddall-Community Liaison & Team Leader 

Mongolia • Allan McDonald-Logistics Myanmar • Bridget Margaret Gardner-Head Of Delegation • Jennifer Jolly-Health 

• Anne Elizabeth Winborne-Health Pakistan • Margaret Anne Brewster-Surgical Ward Nurse • Brendan John Christie- 

Mechanic • Claire Patricia Collins-Medical Logistician • Mary-Ellen Fitzpatrick-Logistican • Christine Gail Foletti-Team Leader 

• Warren Thomas Fryer-Water & Sanitation • Anita Svea Gouthro-Health • Patrick Gralike-Water & Sanitation Engineer 

• Patricia Harrod-Operating Theatre Nurse • Nola Robyn Henry-Surgical Ward Nurse • Vernon Hill-Technical Advisor

5 workers 

Afghanistan (5) 

Pakistan (24) 

Serbia and 

Montenegro (2) 

Mongolia (1) 

China (7) 

Myanmar (3) 

Ivory 

Coast (1) 

Senegal (1) 

Liberia (6) 

1 worker 

Congo (1) 

Angola (1) 

Sudan 

(26) 

Ethiopia (4) 

Kenya (9) 

Burundi (2) 

Eritrea (1) 

Tibet (4) 

Sri Lanka 

(25) 

Maldives (7) 

Thailand (4) 

Vietnam & Laos (1) 

Indonesia (43) 

East 

Timor (2) 

Cambodia (1) 

Papua New Guinea (3) 

Solomon 

Islands (1) 

Palm Fiji (3) 

Island (1) 

3 2 

workers 4 

Malaysia (2) 

workers 

• Megan Kentish-Technical Advisor • Leanne McKenry-Senior Surgical Ward Nurse • Norma Ellen McRae-FACT Health 

• Nicolas Morgan-Water & Sanitation • Denise Leonie Moyle-Surgical Ward Nurse • Kim Maree Ritter-Surgical Ward Nurse 

• Allison Rogers-Technical Advisor • Angela Maree Russell-Surgical Ward Nurse • Gillian Small-Health • Margaret Ann Staff- 

6+ 

Head Nurse • Denise May Tyler-Health • Hang Vo-Tracing • Michael Whittle-Shelter Coordinator Palm Island • Robert Leo 

Handby-Water & Sanitation Papua New Guinea • Teresa Ann Carney-ARC HIV Technical Advisor • Michael John Higginson- 

Organisational Development • Barbara Elizabeth Watson-Branch Development Assessor Senegal • Pascal Alain Rigaldies- 

Regional Program Coordinator Serbia & Montenegro • Tanya Cugura-Tracing • Natacha Helene Emerson-Protection 

Solomon Islands • Deidre Ballinger-Health Sri Lanka • Susan (Sue) Helen Allan-Destruction Assessor • Barry Armstrong- 

Program Coordinator • Steen Axelsen-Finance • Leigh Burgess-Water & Sanitation • Rebecca Dodd-Head of Office • Caroline 

May Dunn-Cooperation • Gordon Thomas Ewers-Water & Sanitation • David Fair-Program Coordinator • Mary-Ellen Fitzpatrick- 

Logistics • Barbara Joy Ford-Health Coordinator • Patricia Harrod-Operating Theatre Nurse • Robert Ljubicic-Construction 

• Brian Anthony McNamara-Health • Simon Morton-Water & Sanitation • Frances Ann Murphy-Health • Kefa Otieno Owino- 

Field Coordinator • Kerry Page-Heath • Byron Pakula-Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting• Satyanarayana Pallagani-Water 

& Sanitation • Kannan Pasupathiraj-Construction Coordinator • Gabriel Salas-Water & Sanitation • Paul Shanahan-Head of 

Sub-Office & Field Coordinator • Ian Charles Stephan-Livelihoods • Saranya Tangwongkit-Organisational Development 

• Gamini Walisinghe-Finance Sudan • Alison Ager-Health • Nicole Rae Batch-Tracing • Maureen Patricia Bennett-Head Nurse 

• Louise Catherine Broomhead-Nutritionist • Anne Carey-Health • Claire Jane Davis-Logistican • Hilary Jane Floate-Health 

• Desley French-Health • Catherine Fry-Health • Anne-Maree Furner-Surgical Ward Nurse • Bernadette (Detta) Jocelyn 

Gleeson-Health • Michael John Higginson-Program Coordinator • Michael Hodges-Water & Habitat Engineer • Dianne Kay 

Hodgson-Health • Barbara McMaster-Teaching Nurse • Denise Leonie Moyle-Economic Security • Katrina Neville-Tracing 

• Jester (Jessie) Nzenza-Kanhutu-Nutritionist • Miranda Odam-Health • Debbie Jane Rickard-Operating Theatre Nurse 

• Tracey Leanne Roberson-Surgical Ward Nurse • Ella Ann Scott-Surgical Ward Nurse • Denise May Tyler-Health 

• Louise Vuillermin-Hospital Project Manager • Sandra Maree White-Medical Logistician • Megan Maree Wingrave-Nutritionist 

Thailand • Michael Peter Annear-Head of Regional Risk Management • Robert Baldwin-Program Manager HIV/AIDS 

• Victoria Layton Bannon-IDRL Program Coordinator • Elden Chamberlain-Project Manager Tibet • Catherine Barker-Team 

Leader • Mark Duncan-Manager & Program Administrator • Damien Morgan-HIV/AIDS Coordinator • Eleanor Sullivan-Primary 

Health Care Coordinator Vietnam & Laos • Neil Poetschka-HIV Technical Advisor 


P23

Aid workers 

During the past year, Australian Red 

Cross aid workers have played a 

greater role than ever before in 

supporting humanitarian efforts in fields 

such as health/medical, nutrition, water 

and sanitation. 

Nutritionist, Megan Wingrave, has just 

returned from Gereida, Sudan, where 

she worked in a camp for displaced 

people. ‘Since February there have 

been more and more people trickling 

into the camp because of the conflict, 

or problems with the harvest due to the 

conflict,’ she says. Despite peace 

negotiations there has been an 

escalation of fighting near Gereida 

town, which has forced more civilians 

to seek shelter at the camp. This has 

increased pressure on the Red Cross 

which is providing displaced people 

with water, shelter, food and household 

goods as well as basic healthcare. 

Megan previously worked with remote 

aboriginal communities in Australia but 

she found the challenges in Darfur 

unique. ‘The difficulties people face are 

very real. I would hear the women 

discuss their concerns about feeding 

their families. They wanted to go into 

the forest to get more food but they felt 

afraid to go’ she said. 

Boris Heger/ICRC 

Image: Red Cross distributes water and runs a field clinic and feeding centres in this 

internally displaced persons camp in Gereida. 

Image: Scott Tind 

Simmons chatting 

with villagers in 

Cambodia. 

Profile 

Passion for helping people 

leads to 15-year career 

Red Cross aid worker Scott Tind 

Simmons’ journey from Brisbane to 

Phnom Penh has been a 15-year 

odyssey since starting his career at 

Red Cross in Queensland in the 90s 

helping people with disabilities find work. 


‘Often people just need a bit of help to get started and then they’re totally able to take care of themselves,’ he says. 

Later, Scott’s career took him farther afield to the conflict in Bosnia, where he was responsible for getting relief supplies 

to people cut off from services by the fighting. It was this experience, Scott says, that first showed him the global power 

of the Red Cross emblem. ‘We used to travel to the front line with the Red Cross clearly marked on our convoys’, 

he says. ‘We had an unfailing belief that the warring parties understood what the Red Cross was and what it stood for. 

It’s completely unique. It was our only protection.’ 

Since Bosnia, Scott has had an enormously varied career in far-flung places including Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Montenegro, 

and now Cambodia, where he is the Head of Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 

Cambodia is another nation attempting to emerge from the shadow of years of conflict and Scott believes that his work there, 

and the work of the local Cambodian Red Cross, can help people cope with the spectre of issues including land mines, natural 

disasters and HIV/AIDS. 

Scott is sure that his knowledge and experience of working with Red Cross in Queensland is now one of his best assets 

while working closely with National Societies abroad. 

P24

Pacific, Timor-Leste and Indonesia 

Sixty per cent of the world’s natural disasters occur in the Pacific. Couple this with isolation and the region’s high population 

density in coastal areas and you get an urgent need to prepare for disaster. With this in mind, the focus of Australian Red 

Cross’ work in the Pacific has been on preparing for disasters as well as developing health projects. 

Being prepared 

Red Cross is working on a region-wide 

Disaster Preparedness Project 

supported by AusAID, aimed at helping 

vulnerable communities prepare and 

respond to disasters. 

Solomon Islands 

Since 2000, Red Cross and AusAID 

have been working with the Solomon 

Islands Red Cross in disaster 

management. During the year local 

Red Cross volunteers and staff took 

part in emergency planning and worked 

with rural communities to work on their 

vulnerabilities. 

A community-based health awareness 

program is also targeting isolated 

communities on the island of Malaita 

and the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal 

to increase awareness of basic hygiene 

and sanitation, community-based first 

aid, malaria and HIV/AIDS. 

Pacific Regional HIV/AIDS Program 

In an effort to address the very real 

threat of HIV in the region, Red Cross 

and AusAID funded a Pacific Red Cross 

meeting attended by nine countries 

and six World Aids Day events. 

Red Cross also supported the training 

of nine peer educators from Micronesia 

Red Cross Society and 29 peer 

educators from Cook Islands Red 

Cross Society on issues relating to 

sexuality and high-risk sexual 

behaviours and in turn, were able to 

teach around 250 young people each 

month. In Kiribati, Red Cross supported 

an HIV program which used drama and 

peer education to reduce HIV 

transmission, with 12 youth peer 

educators reaching around 150 young 

people each month. 

Papua New Guinea 

On World AIDS Day in December 2005, Papua New Guinea Red Cross held events 

in seven provinces, reaching 3,000 people as part of Australian Red Cross’ HIV 

advocacy, prevention, care and support program. A total of 50 local Red Cross 

volunteers were trained in advocacy and others in basic counselling to provide 

support for people living with HIV and AIDS. 

During the severe flooding in Bougainville in August 2005 Red Cross provided 

shelter for 300 families and continued to house over 300 households uprooted 

by the Manam and Langila volcano eruptions of 2004. 

Timor-Leste 

2006 has been a difficult year for the people of the world’s newest nation, 

Timor-Leste. Floods in the Oecussi districts and civil unrest have interrupted 

the development work of the Timor-Leste Red Cross Society. In spite of these 

setbacks, together Australian and Timor-Leste Red Cross have delivered 

emergency assistance during the crises and continue to work on sustainable 

development projects. 

This year, two water and sanitation projects in Baucau and Manatuto districts have 

provided water and sanitation facilities in tandem with community-based health 

awareness. These projects are crucial in this young nation where barely half the 

population has access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities. 

Australian Red Cross also supports HIV awareness in the eastern district of 

Lautem. This project has attracted an impressive level of active engagement by 

young people who have enthusiastically taken on the roles of peer educators. 

Indonesia 

Australian Red Cross continues to support Indonesia by working with the 

Indonesian Red Cross in both emergency situations and long-term disaster 

management. The ‘Enhancing Disaster Management Capacity Project’, established 

in the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombing has continued to strengthen local Red 

Cross disaster management planning in the most disaster-prone regions of Bali. 

Activities this year included school awareness programs and training of emergency 

response volunteers. Local staff in Bali are known throughout the Indonesian 

Red Cross for their disaster management expertise and now provide training 

across the country. 

Image: Residents of Komate in Solomon 

Islands at a hygiene and sanitation workshop. 


P25

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 

In partnership with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Red Cross and the International Federation, 

Australian Red Cross has helped vulnerable communities deal with the impact of disasters. 

Over 5,000 local volunteers are now trained in community-based disaster preparedness principles. Disaster mitigation activities 

have included reinforcing embankments, adjusting waterways and reforestation work to reduce vulnerability to floods and 

landslides during the wet season. 

Mongolia 

Australian Red Cross has been working 

with Mongolian Red Cross to develop 

their HIV program. Youth peer 

education has helped young people 

to adopt safer lifestyles and reduce 

stigma and discrimination against 

people living with HIV and AIDS 

(PLWHA). In the past year, 310 youth 

peer educators were trained, and 

reached over 6,000 others. Educating 

the media on the issues of stigma and 

discrimination, and developing outreach 

services and support have also been 

key activities. The establishment of 

regional disaster preparedness centres 

in the most disaster-prone provinces 

has enabled Mongolian Red Cross to 

encourage isolated populations to 

incorporate disaster preparedness 

activities into their lives. 

Myanmar 

Reaching out to urban settlements and 

rural villages and working with ethnic 

communities to address common health 

problems has raised the visibility of local 

Red Cross volunteers in the Myanmar 

area. 

In the past year, 44 peer educators 

spread the word to 4,500 people 

about health issues and HIV. Malaria 

campaigns in 30 villages reached over 

2,500 people. Improved water systems 

were developed in four villages, and over 

470 sanitary latrines were constructed 

in 30 villages. 

China – Tibet 

Tibet Health Sector Support Program 

Australian Red Cross, in partnership 

with Burnet Institute, is implementing 

the AusAID funded Tibet Health Sector 

Support Program. This includes a 

seminar series on problems 

encountered in the health sector, the 

opening of a regional Blood Centre in 

Lhasa, training for emergency maternal 

and neo-natal care, and training for HIV 

testing for staff at a health centre also 

in Lhasa. 

Two study tour groups examined the 

Australian system of health regulation 

and management of health services. 

Although participants believed that 

different approaches might need to be 

adopted in Tibet, the essential principles 

could very well remain. Another study 

tour helped government officials in Laos 

and Cambodia understand the impact 

of HIV. 

‘Before coming on this study tour we 

paid very little attention to HIV. I had 

no concept of my responsibility for 

HIV prevention. Now I understand 

better the potential impact of HIV 

on the community and feel that … HIV 

prevention is urgently needed in Tibet…’ 

Mr Danor, Tourism Bureau 

Tibet Red Cross 

Since 2003, the Tibet Red Cross 

branch has been recruiting and 

mobilising blood donors with support 

from Australian Red Cross. 

To date, a Blood Donor Support Group 

has been established at Tibet University 

with plans to establish more groups. 

Trained volunteers mobilise donors for 

blood and get involved in mass 

awareness campaigns. 


P26 

K Dias/Australian Red Cross

China – Xinjiang 

Reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS 

The youth peer education program 

which began in 1999 has broadened to 

include projects in Urumqi city and Yili 

prefecture covering positive peer 

education (PE+), self care for people 

living with HIV/AIDS, treatment 

preparedness and various prevention 

programs. 

China – Yunnan 


closely with the Yunnan Red Cross 

branch for almost a decade. 

Activities include peer education for 

youth and for people living with 

HIV/AIDS, self-care workshops and 

community awareness-raising activities, 

such as drama performances and 

World AIDS Day events. 

Yunnan Red Cross has established 

Sunshine Homeland, a communitybased 

organisation run by and for 

people living with HIV/AIDS, providing a 

range of services including informal 

counselling. 

Asia Regional 

Reducing discrimination 

Australian Red Cross is managing the 

Asia Regional AIDS Network project 

which combats stigma and 

discrimination in Cambodia and 

Mongolia. This project will provide a 

platform for positive people to have 

their own safe institutional spaces, and 

to advocate for changes within their 

own communities. 

During the past decade, Australian 

Red Cross has supported local Red 

Cross Societies so that each now 

has a planned approach to HIV/AIDS 

response as well as strong connections 

to positive volunteers and staff. 

Outreach programs continue to inform 

and educate communities whose 

attitudes may still marginalise those 

who are positive. 

Other programs range from youth peer 

education on prevention to targeted 

education with commercial sex 

workers, intravenous drug users and 

men who have sex with men. Crossborder 

and transitory populations have 

also been targeted. 

Laos 

The HIV/AIDS program in Laos reached 

a significant turning point in 2006 when 

daily program management was 

handed over to Laos Red Cross. 

Australian Red Cross continues to 

support the program which provides 

health care and community support to 

people living with HIV/AIDS. 

The establishment of a local 

organisation for people living with 

HIV/AIDS has been instrumental to 

these aims. This is one of the few 

non-government organisations 

authorised to operate in Laos. 

We have also continued to work 

with Laos Red Cross to construct 

480 household latrines and six village 

water systems for 2,000 people in 

remote mountainous areas inhabited 

by ethnic minorities. 

Cambodia 

With a reported infection rate of 

1.9 per cent, Cambodia has the highest 

HIV/AIDS prevalence in the region. 

It also has one of the most successful 

responses to lowering the rate. 

Through a new program trial aimed at 

working with transient workers, 

Australian Red Cross will also support 

Cambodian Red Cross in trialling a new 

water storage technique in three 

villages where ground water is saltcontaminated. 

Village communities are 

taught to construct rainwater tanks, 

which enables males to work in their 

own community. Neighbouring villages 

have approached Cambodian Red 

Cross to request the project be 

extended to their communities. 


P27

Tracing 

Image: Jackson and Red Cross case 

worker Amy Lees. 

Restoring family links for people 

separated by conflict and disaster 

Where family members have been 

separated as a result of armed conflict 

or disaster, Australian Red Cross aims 

to provide assistance and support 

through restoring contact and providing 

information about the fate of missing 

persons. To achieve this, we work with 

180 tracing agencies around the world, 

all part of the International Red Cross 

and Red Crescent Movement. 

In the past twelve months, eleven 

Red Cross aid workers have been 

deployed in places such as Sudan, 

East Timor, Pakistan, Angola, Balkans 

and Eritrea. 

Case study 

Mum found thanks to Australian Red Cross message 

When Jackson first spoke to his mother he could hardly understand her through 

the crying. ‘She was crying because she was hoping that maybe one day I would 

come back – every day she was expecting I would come back and now I was on 

the phone.’ Thanks to the Australian Red Cross International Tracing Refugee and 

Asylum Seekers Service in Adelaide, Jackson’s family was able to piece together 

their lives and reconnect after years of separation brought about by civil war. 

Jackson and his mother were separated in 1993 when, with his mother unable to 

afford schooling after his father’s death in the Congo conflict, Jackson went to live 

with his uncle. They escaped more fighting and fled to a refugee camp in Uganda 

in 2001, but lost touch with Jackson’s mother and siblings. Jackson migrated to 

Australia as a refugee in 2004 with his uncle’s family and with no knowledge of the 

welfare of the family he left behind. 

After a school visit from the Red Cross, Jackson asked for their help to trace 

his mother. A case was opened and eventually Red Cross messages found their 

way across war-ravaged and fractured communities to his sister and mother 

in a remote village in Goma, on the border of Rwanda and the Congo, and then 

back to Jackson in Adelaide. 

Jackson is now able to make phone calls, send and receive Red Cross messages 

and photographs from his family in the Congo. To Jackson, this means everything. 

Now he is set on a career in medicine, is focussed on helping to support his family 

and he hopes to see them all again in the future. ‘And I’m learning to drive!’ he 

says with a cheeky grin. 


P28

Telecross 

Every day over 5,000 Red Cross volunteers make a reassuring call to an elderly 

person or someone frail and isolated to make sure they’re alright as part of the 

Telecross service. 

Trained volunteers ring at an agreed time each day and if the call goes unanswered, 

an emergency contact will then check on their welfare. In the last year, demand for 

the service has increased significantly. In Western Australia, the Telecross service was 

listed for a Community Services Industry Award by the Department for Community 

Development. 

Profile 

Home Visitor Volunteer 

When Angela had a car accident 

several years ago and suffered a severe 

brain injury, her life changed forever. 

Now she lives with her sister who is her 

full-time carer, but every fortnight for 

the past two years she has received a 

visit from Eva, a Home Visitor volunteer. 

The Volunteer Home Visitor Service in 

Canberra matches volunteers like Eva 

with isolated members of the Canberra 

Community. Eva visits Angela for seven 

or eight hours every two weeks – 

considerably more than the one hour 

required of visitors with the program. 

During their time together Eva and 

Angela either go to the movies, have 

lunch, go shopping, which Angela 

loves, or they take a drive in the 

country or to the local nursery. 

Case study 

Regions to benefit from 

Telecross calls 

People in regional and remote areas 

in South Australia will have access to 

Telecross with the expansion of its 

service to Port Lincoln Regional Centre. 

Specialist technology and partnering 

with Guide Dogs Association of South 

Australia and Northern Territory have 

also increased the reach of Telecross 

to include people with a sensory 

impairment. 

Currently, almost 15 per cent of South 

Australia’s population is over the age of 

65, a figure expected to double to 

around 30 per cent of the state’s 

population by 2051. 


P29

Good Start Breakfast Club 

Good Start Breakfast Clubs, run in partnership with Sanitarium – The Health Food Company, aim to help kids get the best out of 

school by providing a healthy and nutritious start to the day. Last year, 130 clubs across Australia served close to 400,000 meals 

with the support of around 1,500 volunteers, government, the community and a range of local businesses and corporations. 

Case study 

Ten schools in Victoria joined the program in the past year, 

including three of the Victorian Prep to 12 Colleges of Koorie Education 

which specialise in education for indigenous students. 

Student energy levels and behaviour have greatly improved since Breakfast Clubs 

were introduced at schools in Mildura, Woolum Bellum and Swan Hill says Woolum 

Bellum school principal, Iain Luck. ‘To say the Breakfast Club has been successful 

so far is an understatement.’ Already, we have noticed much higher levels of 

concentration, energy and enthusiasm across all year levels. Classroom behaviour 

management has improved out of sight, as have our dealings with the kids in the 

yard, at recesses, and during lunch breaks. ‘Relationships are flourishing between 

the students and teachers, as well as between the students themselves. One thing 

is abundantly clear. Kids who are appropriately nourished are much 

easier to teach.’ 

Profile 

Breakfast Club Volunteer 

Making an impact is certainly what motivates 21-year-old Diana Khezeqia, 

a Breakfast Club volunteer in South Sydney. Alongside other young volunteers, 

Diana helps feed children who may otherwise go hungry. In Breakfast Clubs across 

New South Wales, there are approximately 500 volunteers per month who dedicate 

their time towards helping young children, by providing a healthy breakfast. Diana's 

charitable work is in addition to a very busy schedule – she has completed full time 

study at University of Western Sydney while working part time. However, that 

doesn't stop Diana taking the time to invent food experiments for the young 

children in her Breakfast Club to promote discussion around healthy eating. Now 

she and other young volunteers intend to lobby local businesses to help the local 

Breakfast Club. ‘It's hard to fit everything into my timetable, but the personal 

rewards of volunteering are worth it,’ Diana says. ‘It's the simple reward of getting 

outside the square that I live in and obtaining a different perspective on what life's 

about, and not being caught up in trivialities. It's also good to be part of a 

respected worldwide organisation such as the Red Cross. Young people often do 

lead busy lives, but we still need to gain a bigger understanding of the world 

around us, and volunteering helps us do that.’ 

Demand continues to grow rapidly, 

with a 25 per cent increase in Breakfast 

Clubs this year and plans for further 

expansion with the inclusion of Western 

Australia and the Australian Capital 

Territory in the coming year. 

Some of the reported benefits have 

been: 

increased concentration and 

behaviour from the children in class 

positive impacts on school 

attendance rates and punctuality 

increased school community 

positive social and nutritional 

awareness and behaviour 

a decrease in crime in highly 

disadvantaged areas 

improvements in health. 

In South Australia Breakfast Clubs 

were launched in October 2004. 

Since that time, 11 Breakfast Clubs 

have opened across metropolitan 

Adelaide and in rural and remote areas. 

An additional Breakfast Club is to open 

on the APY Lands in the state’s Far 

North West in an Aboriginal community 

at Fregon and in the rural Davenport 

Aboriginal Community. 

Image: A Healthy Start to the day – Crows 

players Marty Matner, Scott Welsh and 

Nathan Bassett “adopt” Hendon Primary 

School Breakfast Club in South Australia. 


P30

First Aid, Health and Safety Services 

Red Cross – the world’s largest supplier of first aid training 

Australian Red Cross First Aid, Health and Safety Services provide a vital 

service to the community, equipping people with the knowledge and skills to 

respond to emergencies in the workplace, in their homes or in their communities. 

Throughout the year, first aid training was delivered to over 90,000 individuals. 

As a member of the Australian Resuscitation Council, Red Cross actively 

participated in the international review of CPR techniques and the presentation of 

new guidelines for use in Australia. 

Courses provided by Red Cross were subsequently rewritten to incorporate the new 

guidelines and changes to the health training package. All courses now include 

defibrillation training. The training scope has been expanded to include Occupational 

Health and Safety, Mental Health First Aid and other related courses. 

Sales of first aid kits, products and publications have increased through the 

development of new customer relationships and the opening up of new markets 

and sales channels. New publications that are better aimed at the first aid market 

have been introduced. 

First aid continues to be a vital component of the work of Australian Red Cross 

overseas, including tsunami response projects in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. 

First Aid at the 

Melbourne 2006 

Commonwealth 

Games 

From 15 - 26 March 2006, the world’s 

sporting attention was focused on 

Melbourne. Around 4,200 athletes 

from 71 nations and territories 

gathered to compete in 16 sports. 

During the Games, Red Cross was one 

of the agencies providing first aid 

services. Throughout the event, 

Red Cross had responsibility for 

1,575 positions, filled by 200 trained 

volunteers. Much of the action occurred 

in regional cities of Victoria including 

Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong, where 

Red Cross was responsible for 

managing the first aid for 

Commonwealth Games Events. 

Image: First Aid Volunteer Michael Bruns 

during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth 

Games. 


P31

East Timorese 

evacuee settlement 

project 

The East Timorese Evacuee Settlement 

Project was established in May 2006, 

to provide support to people being 

resettled in their homeland. 

The project was a direct response by 

the Australian Government to the 

emergency situation in East Timor. 

Red Cross staff coordinate the 

provision of basic necessities, as well 

as access to health care, income, 

counselling and social support. 

Heroin Overdose 

Prevention and 

Education (HOPE) 

Australian Red Cross’ Heroin Overdose 

Prevention and Education program 

in New South Wales aims to equip 

those taking part with the skills and 

knowledge to confidently and 

appropriately respond to 

substance-related overdose. 

Fully funded by the New South Wales 

Health Centre for Drug and Alcohol, 

the program delivered training over 

the past year to high-need, 

marginalised and difficult-to-access 

groups who have comprehensive 

barriers to learning. With the 

support of advocates of the program 

and extensive networks within key 

agencies, attendees are taught vital, 

life-saving skills and knowledge in a 

manner that is sensitive to the issues 

affecting them. 

The program also provides an 

important opportunity to promote 

learning that may help prevent adverse 

outcomes by encouraging behaviour 

change. By involving attendees in 

discussions, such as the risk factors 

for overdose in the context of 

responses to life or death scenarios, 

the seriousness and likelihood of such 

an occurrence is highlighted. 

While many attendees over the year 

have been motivated by the knowledge 

gained from learning basic first aid 

skills and the associated accreditation 

certificate, the opportunity by 

Red Cross to promote key messages 

around avoiding overdose is not 

overlooked. 

Inner city support 

program 

Approximately one in 200 South 

Australians are homeless, a statistic 

compounded by the reality that people 

without stable housing face an 

increased risk of abuse, violence and 

difficulty in accessing health care. 

The Inner City Support Program, 

launched in October 2005, aims to 

improve the outlook for people in 

Adelaide who are at risk of 

homelessness and provide a helping 

hand to those who are at risk of falling 

through the cracks. 

By supporting individuals to secure 

and sustain long-term tenancies and 

encouraging self-sufficiency, the 

program hopes to improve the quality of 

life of those at risk of homelessness and 

to reconnect vulnerable people living in 

the inner city with the community. 

Assistance involves a wide range of 

activities including practical and social 

support, basic assistance with financial 

and employment issues, transport, 

aged care, referral to relevant 

community agencies and support 

such as mental health care and 

drug and alcohol services. 


P32

North west patient 

transport 

Residents of Queenstown in Tasmania’s 

west now have a direct link to vital 

medical services with the recent arrival 

of a Red Cross patient vehicle. 

The North West Patient Transport 

service will provide transport to isolated 

and vulnerable people needing access 

to specialised medical care where 

previously they relied on the availability 

of the nearest car, based hundreds of 

kilometres away in Burnie. 

The service, generously supported by 

the Department of Health and Human 

Services, will be staffed by volunteer 

drivers, all of whom were recruited 

through a public forum held at the 

Queenstown Council Chambers in July 

2005. 

Teen mentoring 

Empowering local communities to 

support young people and add value 

to their education is the aim of 

Red Cross’ Teen Mentoring program 

based in Victoria. 

In the past year, 100 volunteers made 

2,500 visits to 100 young people in 

Bendigo, Geelong, Melbourne, Echuca, 

Sale and Ballarat. 

Teen mentoring volunteers are matched 

with students on a one-to-one basis to 

enhance their growth, develop self 

esteem and help prepare them for life 

experiences beyond secondary school. 

The mentor volunteers are provided 

with specialist training in issues 

affecting youth and general 

communication skills, and fill the role of 

companion, confidante and mentor on 

their weekly visits to their student on 

school grounds. 

Business, 

employment and 

training services 

Red Cross’ Disability and Employment 

Services in Queensland helps people 

with disabilities tackle a range of 

barriers to entering the workforce by 

providing them with training, job 

placement and on-the-job support. 

Over the past year, the Red Cross in 

Queensland employed 120 people with 

a disability, provided training for 

approximately 300 and helped over 

670 others facing barriers to 

employment either find paid 

employment or prepare for entering 

the workforce. 

Manager of Queensland Sheet Metal 

and Roofing Supplies in Banyo, Ross 

Jackson, has employed seven job 

seekers with a disability since his 

association with Red Cross began 

15 years ago. 

‘Red Cross is very supportive – they 

know what we as a business require, 

what the job seekers are capable of 

and who will fit in well in our work 

environment and if a problem arises, 

Red Cross is always there to help solve 

it,’ says Ross. 


P33

Home support CARE program Out and about 

The Home Support Service established 

in New South Wales in September 

2005 provides social support to the frail 

and aged, people with disabilities and 

their carers. The majority of clients fall 

into the frail aged category, with most 

requesting support with grocery 

shopping, paying bills, banking and 

everyday activities we all take for 

granted. The initial target of 257 clients 

has now been surpassed and the 

service has an average of six new 

referrals each week. 

In Tasmania, a recent six-month 

Cultural Awareness through 

Recreational Experience program was 

designed to increase young people’s 

understanding of diverse cultures and 

backgrounds. 

The program teaches leadership skills 

and understanding of cultural issues to 

16 to 25 year olds so that they can act 

as volunteer mentors and help match 

young migrants and refugees to 

recreational activities in the community. 

Over 70 young people came together 

during the program, conducted in each 

of Tasmania’s three regions, to share a 

range of recreational experiences 

ranging from indoor rock climbing to 

horse riding. One volunteer mentor, 

Calum Marshall, said the highlight of 

the program was watching some 

participants kicking a football after 

watching their very first live Aussie 

Rules game. 

Profile 

Clare Cavasin and Bruna Stephensen – Innisfail Branch 

In the aftermath of Cyclone Larry in March 2006, Red Cross 

volunteers and sisters Clare Cavasin and Bruna Stephensen 

answered the call. Clare, 68, and Bruna, 75, set to work helping 

register evacuees at the Innisfail TAFE and Parish Hall. Once the 

cyclone had passed, Clare and Bruna returned to work packing food 

parcels, offering care and comfort and even helping out at the 

damaged Innisfail Red Cross Retail Shop. 

Australian Red Cross’ Out and About 

program in Queensland identifies 

elderly people living alone at home and 

at risk of slipping out of contact with 

their community, and helps them take 

part in social activities. 

Making the experience safe, rich and 

fulfilling, the Out and About program 

utilises Tai Chi, art classes, light 

exercise sessions and fun excursions. 

The program has been trialled 

successfully in Roma, teaching older 

men how to cook nutritious and tasty 

meals. 

Night café 

The Queensland Night Café offers a safe 

haven for homeless and disadvantaged 

young people in Brisbane. 

During the past year, over 4,300 

young people visited the café which 

is situated on the basement level of 

Brisbane City Hall. 

Operating on Tuesday and Thursday 

nights from 7-9pm and open to anyone 

under the age of 25 who is homeless 

or disadvantaged, the café is the only 

after-hours service of its kind. 

With the support of Brisbane City 

Council, the Bank of Queensland and 

2,064 Red Cross volunteers, the Night 

Café provides free hot food, showers, 

toilets, important information and advice. 


P34 

Image: Innisfail volunteers Clare Cavasin 

(left) and Bruna Stephensen.

Palm Island youth support 

Helping the indigenous community on 

Palm Island, North Queensland, face 

significant social challenges has been 

a focal point for Red Cross in 

Queensland over the past year. 

Working with the local community, 

Red Cross is trialling various ways of 

engaging with young people to foster 

positive social behaviour and lifestyle 

patterns. 

The Holiday program, which began in 

2004, continues to provide activities for 

more than 800 young people living on 

the Island. Beach volleyball, dance 

classes and even lunch with friends are 

part of a whole-of-community approach 

that aims to bring structure to the 

young people of Palm Island. Two Red 

Cross Good Start Breakfast Clubs have 

also been providing free and nutritious 

breakfasts to children in order to 

improve their concentration and 

attendance at school. And in August 

2005, a Night Café operated two nights 

a week on the island, providing food 

and social activities for up to 70 young 

people. 

A Youth Mentoring Program began on 

Palm Island in June 2006. Funded by 

the Australian Government, the 

program works with around 40 young 

people to help them achieve their 

personal goals and offers a wide range 

of support including assistance with 

employment, training, self-esteem, life 

skills and personal relationships. 

Image: The Holiday program and Good 

Start Breakfast Clubs have been helping 

young people on Palm Island. 


P35

Communities for 

children 

Ten projects are planned following 

the results of extensive community 

consultation by Red Cross in the 

Northern Territory to discover the 

issues facing children up to five years 

old and their families in Palmerston 

and the Tiwi Islands. 

The research was part of the role of 

Red Cross as a facilitating partner in 

the Communities for Children program, 

part of the Australian Government’s 

Stronger Families and Communities 

Strategy. 

The program places particular 

emphasis on improving outcomes 

in the areas of healthy young families, 

supporting families and parenting, early 

learning and development, creating 

child-friendly communities and helping 

families and children’s services work 

effectively together. 

Some of the projects include: 

Development of ante and post natal 

support networks in Palmerson 

A Future Parents Program aimed at 

high school aged young people 

Co-ordination of communication 

between service providers and the 

community 

Parenting Support and Education 

in the Tiwi Islands 


P36

East Timor eye 

program 

Since July 2000, Red Cross in the 

Northern Territory has assisted with 

fundraising and provided logistic 

support to the teams of Australian 

doctors, nurses and optometrists who 

make regular trips to East Timor to 

volunteer their time to run eye clinics. 

In July 2005, the President of East 

Timor, Xanana Gusmao, and his wife, 

Kirsty Sword Gusmao, were guests of 

honour at a fundraising gala dinner in 

Darwin in support of the East Timor 

Eye Program. 

The positive corporate and community 

relationships established on the night – 

including pledges of $20,000 from the 

Northern Territory government and 

long-term sponsorship from AirNorth – 

helped to make the dinner an 

outstanding success for the people 

of East Timor. 

Mental health 

first aid 

Red Cross in Western Australia 

and GreenApple Development worked 

together this year to introduce a 

multi-award winning Mental Health 

First Aid course. 

The 12-hour course provides information 

about depression, anxiety disorders, 

psychosis and substance abuse. Those 

taking part learn how to recognise the 

symptoms of mental illness and how to 

give appropriate initial support to 

someone who is suffering. 

The new course is part of an expanding 

First Aid service which will include a 

new training calendar, two new training 

locations and more diverse classes. 

Mental Health Council of Australia 

figures indicate that depression alone 

costs Australian businesses $2.5 billion 

per year in absenteeism and $900 

million in impairment at work. 

Secure hangout for 

all kids (SHAK) 

service 

Red Cross in the Northern Territory 

celebrated 21 years operating the 

Secure Hangout for All Kids this year – 

a service that provides sporting, 

recreational, developmental, music 

and computer-based activities. 

The service also celebrated another 

milestone when Microsoft Australia 

presented a team of regular members 

with a trip to the Melbourne 2006 

Commonwealth Games and an Xbox 

360 for winning Microsoft’s ‘Realising 

Potential Through Teamwork’ 

competition. The team won for their 

outstanding multimedia presentation 

about teamwork. 


P37

FOODcents 

The Red Cross FOODcents program 

in Western Australia aims to boost 

nutritional awareness and reduce costs 

for families who want to eat healthy 

food on a budget. 

This innovative service helps families 

with young children particularly, to 

address increasing rates of diet-related 

illnesses such as diabetes, obesity 

and cardiovascular disease. 

Trained FOODcents volunteers guide 

clients in cooking and preparing 

healthy, tasty meals and snacks, in 

addition to introducing money-saving 

techniques such as comparing the 

price of foods per kilo, menu planning 

and preparing effective shopping lists. 

The program, developed from a 

Department of Health initiative, works 

with organisations such as the 

Department for Community 

Development, Salvation Army, 

Medina Aboriginal Cultural Centre 

and The Smith Family. 

Mobility equipment 

hire and sales 

A Department of Veterans Affairs 

contract continues to be a huge 

boost to the sustainability of Mobility 

Equipment Hire and Sales and has 

extended the reach of mobility 

equipment available to the West 

Australian community. 

During the year a Red Cross catalogue 

featuring products was produced and 

distributed to prescribers and 

practitioners, making it easier for clients 

to source the products that they need. 

The initiative has more than doubled 

estimated yearly return to Red Cross, 

generating over $800,000 in profit 

for services. 

Meals on wheels 

There were considerable changes to 

the meals on wheels menu in the 

Australian Capital Territory this year, 

trialling finger foods for people with 

dementia and providing meals for 

Chinese clients. A wider variety of 

vegetables is also now available and 

the addition of chilli meals has been 

well received. 

In the past year 130,465 meals have 

been delivered to about 800 clients – 

the largest number of meals delivered, 

covering a distance of 230,000 

kilometres. 


P38

MATES program 

The Mentally Ill and Their Equal 

Supporters (MATES) program in 

Tasmania continues to help overcome 

issues of isolation and stigma for 

people experiencing mental illness. 

It does so by linking up volunteers and 

participants to share experiences and 

skills. 

Operating since 1997, and now 

with over 150 participants, MATES’ 

success has attracted the attention of 

Red Cross in other states who are keen 

to establish their own local programs. 

Profile 

Anna McInerney 

By hosting events and selling 

handmade toys, 15-year-old South 

Australian entrepreneur and Red Cross 

Youth Advisory Committee member 

Anna McInerney has raised $21,000 

single handedly. Anna’s tenacity and 

commitment to social and community 

work is reflected in the host of medals 

she won this year including the Pride of 

Australia Medal in the Young Aussie 

category, the National Red Cross 

Meritorious Service Youth Award and 

the Australia Day Young Citizen Award 

in the City of Holdfast Bay. 

Anna’s creative approach to raising 

funds is ongoing and she now plans to 

stage a school production of Romeo 

and Juliet to raise funds for the Good 

Start Breakfast Club. 

Young women’s 

health program 

This unique service offers intensive care 

and support for young homeless 

women in New South Wales who are 

pregnant or parenting. 

The three stages of the program range 

from 24-hour fully accommodated care, 

to an outreach service once a young 

woman and her baby have made the 

move to independent living. 

Some of the highlights of the service 

last year were: 

At one point all the young women 

in stage one attended TAFE or 

school and enjoyed sharing their 

accomplishments with staff, 

including certificates of achievement 

and excellent exam scores. 

A successful annual reunion saw 

mothers and their young children 

come together to share the 

successes and challenges of the 

past 12 months. 

The introduction of the ante-natal 

clinic, a joint venture with Royal 

Hospital for Women at Randwick, 

which operates out of the Red 

Cross centre. A mid-wife talks with 

the young women about a range of 

topics such as giving birth and 

nutrition. 

The implementation of the Volunteer 

Home Visiting Program which saw 

a number of volunteers trained at 

the beginning of the year begin to 

visit young women who have made 

the move into their own homes. 

Image: Anna holding some of her fluffy 

handmade chicken toys. To date, she 

has raised over $21,000 for the Red Cross 

by selling them and organising events. 


P39

Statistics 

Staff by activity 

Staff by services 

Marketing, Communications 

and Fundraising 9% 

Finance and 

Corporate Support 13% 

Youth Services 9% 

Refugee and Asylum 

Seeker Services 4% 

Retail Stores 8% 

Humanitarian 

Services 78% 

First Aid 10% 

Community 

Services 54% 

International 15% 

State and 

Territory 

statistics 

Branches 

New 

volunteers Volunteers Members Red Cross Calling 


P40 

ACT 1 255 1,227 292 $232,863 raised with 

the help of 3,951 volunteers 

NSW 296 N/A 8,871 10,126 $2,115,485 raised with 


NT 2 167 353 41 $55,000 raised with 

the help of 375 volunteers 

QLD 103 1,922 5,230 3,145 $1.65 million raised with 


SA 128 653 1,591 2,938 $506,805 raised with 


TAS 32 243 1,771 1,158 $226,549 raised with 


VIC 347 1,987 8,097 8,536 $2,260,360 raised with 


WA 73 834 4,087 2,769 $854,424 raised with 


TOTAL 982 6,061 31,227 29,005 $7,901,486 raised with 

the help of 130,256 volunteers

Gross revenue by activity 

Expense by activity 

Members & Volunteers 3% 

Interest and Investments 8% 

Members & Volunteers 5% 

Interest and Investments 12% 

Commercial 

Operations 14% 

Humanitarian 

Services 43% 

Commercial 

Operations 12% 

Humanitarian 

Services 56% 

Fundraising 32% 

Fundraising 15% 

First Aid 

Certificates 

Tracing 

cases 

Good Start 

Breakfast Club 

Telecross 

3,226 90 N/A 64,792 calls made to 

178 clients by 187 volunteers 

21,075 674 172,000 breakfasts served by 

480 volunteers in 65 schools 

915 161 43,715 breakfasts served by 


19, 561 148 43,985 breakfasts served by 




4,999 58 16,608 breakfasts were served by 

54 volunteers at 5 schools 



499,050 calls made to 

1,703 clients by 3,196 volunteers 











4,980 166 N/A 97,432 calls made to 


87,847 2,413 359,266 breakfasts served by 

1,158 volunteers in 130 schools 

1,142,393 calls made to 

3,974 clients by 4,948 volunteers 


P41

Partnership relieves suffering 

Australian Red Cross is committed to partnering with organisations that respect our humanitarian values and want to develop a 

program of action to support our work. In working with our corporate and philanthropic partners from all parts of Australia, our 

vision of improving the lives of vulnerable people through the power of humanity is brought to life. 


P42 

Thank you to our 

major partners: 

Thank you to our major supporters: 

Adshell 

AGSM Ltd 

ANZ Trustees 

Austway Vending 

Avon 

Barclay Mowlem 

Bendigo Bank 

BlueScope Steel 

BP Australia 

Brisbane Convention Centre Hotel Group 

Bristol-Myers Squibb 

Bulldogs League Club Ltd 

Cadbury Schweppes 

Casella Estate 

Central Corporate Services Unit 

Centro Galleria 

Charities Aid Foundation 

Citibank Ltd 

Citigroup 

Coca Cola 

Collier Charitable Fund 

Commonwealth Bank 

Computer Associates 

Count Charitable Foundation 

Detmold Packaging 

Dimension Data 

Ernst & Young 

Eyre Regional Health Service Inc 

Foodworks Supermarket Group 

Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal 

Geelong Craft and Gift Shop 

Graystone 

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese 

of Australia 

Herald Sun 

Hollywood Private Hospital 

IGA 

Insurance Australia Group (Staff) 

International Cricket Council 

International Music Concepts 

Jenour Foundation 

JR Nominees 

KPMG 

kwp! 

Lady Proud Foundation 

Limestone Coast Regional Development 

Board Inc 

Lotterywest 

Loyalty Pacific (FlyBuys) 

Macavalon Pty Ltd 

McDonald’s 

Meerkats 

Myer Community Fund 

Myer Ltd 

Naked Communications 

National Australia Bank 

Newmont Australia Ltd 

Northern Territory News 

Oldmac Toyota 

Optus 

Perpetual Trustees Australia Ltd 

Peter Lee Associates 

PFD Food Services Pty Ltd 

Philip Bushell Foundation 

Phillip Bacon Galleries 

Phillips Fox 

Platform Interactive 

Powercorp 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation 

Protrust Pty Ltd 

Reef Hotel Casino Community 

Benefit Fund 

Ritchies Stores 

Ronald Geoffrey Arnott Foundation 

RSM Bird Cameron 

Simon Lee Foundation 

Sing Tao 

SOS Printing 

Southern Cross Club 

Sports Club Kaleen 

Suncorp Insurance Call Centre 

Telecorp 

Telstra Foundation 

The Alfred Felton Bequest 

The Jean and Redvers Dunbar 

Charitable Trust 

The West Australian 

The William Angliss Charitable Fund 

(Victoria) 

Victoria Law Foundation 

Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation 

Woolworths Ltd 

Wyeth Australia

Partnership relieves suffering (cont’d) 

Thank you to our regular Workplace Giving supporters: 

AGSM Ltd 

Anglo Coal 

Attorney General's Department 

Australia Post 

Australian Government Department 

of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 


of Finance and Administration 


of Industry, Tourism and Resources 

Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority 

Australian Stock Exchange 

Australian Taxation Office 

Australian Unity 

Bain International 

Baker Heart Research Institute 

Bank SA Staff Charitable Fund 

Bendigo Bank 

BHP Iron Ore 

BlueScope Steel 

BP Australia 

Bristol-Myers Squibb 

Citec 

Citibank Ltd 

Citigroup 

Citipower 

Clough Projects 

CSR Ltd 

Dimension Data 

Ebsworth & Ebsworth 

Education Queensland 

Ernst & Young 

Fairfield City Council (NSW) 

Federal Magistrates Court of Australia 

Foster’s Group 

Fujitsu 

Hazelwood Power 

Healthpay 

Hydromet 

IP Australia 

KPMG 

Lancer Pacific 

Landmark 

Lion Nathan 

Loy Yang Power Station 

Mallesons Stephen Jaques 

Merrill Lynch Australia 

Museum of Victoria 

Nambucca Shire Council (NSW) 

National Australia Bank 

National Wealth Management 

Orica 

Pacific Equity Partners 

Perpetual Trustees 

Phillips Fox 

Port Kembla Steel 

Port Phillip Council (VIC) 

Powercor 

Powercorp 

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Qantas 

QBE Management Services 

Ross Logic 

Shell Australia Ltd 

State Library of Victoria 

Stratapay 

Sunwater 

Suzanne Grae 

Telstra 

Thomson Playford 

TRUenergy Yallourn Pty Ltd 

University of Tasmania 

VIC Department of Education and Training 

VIC Department of Human Services 

VIC Department of Justice 

VIC Department 

of Premier and Cabinet 

VIC Department of Primary Industries 

VIC Department of Sustainability 

and Environment 

VIC Department of Treasury 

and Finance 

VIC Department of Victorian Communities 

Westpac 

Willis 

Woodside 

Xstrata 


P43

Partnership relieves suffering (cont’d) 

Thank you to our Government supporters: 

Australian Government Departments and Agencies 

Attorney General’s Department 

AusAID 


Department of Health and Ageing 

Department of Employment and 

Home and Community Care (HACC) 

Workplace Relations 

Health Insurance Commission 

Department of Families, Community Department of 

Services and Indigenous Affairs 

Immigration and Multicultural Affairs 

Centrelink 

Department of 

Department of 

Prime Minister and Cabinet 

Finance and Administration 

Department of Veterans’ Affairs 

Department of 

Foreign Affairs and Trade 

State and Local Government Departments and Agencies 

Australian War Memorial (ACT) 

Narrabri Shire Council (NSW) 

ACT Chief Minister’s Department 

NSW Department of Ageing, 

ACT Department of Disability, Housing Disability and Home Care 

and Community Services 

NSW Department of 

ACT Department of 

Community Services 

Education, Science and Training 

NSW Department of Health 

Adelaide City Council (SA) 

NSW Department of 

Brisbane City Council (QLD) 

Premier and Cabinet 

Canterbury City Council (NSW) 

NT Correctional Services 

Community Support Service 

City of Onkaparinga (SA) 

NT Department of 

City of Ryde (NSW) 

Health and Community Services 

Cloncurry Shire Council (QLD) 


Department for 

Sport and Recreation 

Victorian Communities (VIC) 


Gosford City Council (NSW) 

the Chief Minister 

Hobart City Council (TAS) 

NT Office of Youth Affairs 

Main Roads Western Australia (WA) Port Phillip Council (VIC) 

Marrickville Council (NSW) 

QLD Department of Communities 

Mid North Regional 

QLD Health 

Health Service (SA) 

QLD Treasury 

Mornington Peninsula Shire (VIC) 

TAS Department of Economic Development 

TAS Department of 

Health and Human Services 

TAS Department of Premier and Cabinet 

The Northern Areas Council (SA) 

The Passenger Transport Board (SA) 

VIC Department of 

Family and Community Services 

VIC Department of 

Health and Ageing 

Victoria Police 

WA Department for 

Community Development 

WA Department of 

Corrective Services 

WA Department of Health 

(Statewide Services) 

WA Department of Premier and Cabinet 

WA Disability Services Commission 

WA Health Promotion Foundation 

(Healthway) 


P44

National Awards 2006 

National Awards Committee 

John Pinney AM 

– Chairman (until February 2006) 

Margot Stretch AM 

– Chairman (from February 2006) 

Michael Legge 

– Vice Chairman 

Ian Anson 

– Member (until February 2006) 

Ron Clapham 

– Member 

Jim Forwood AM 

– Member (from February 2006) 

Jeni McDonough 

– Executive Officer 

James Bower Forwood NT Honorary Life Membership 

Devendra Patel NT Honorary Life Membership 

Joan Scanlan SA Honorary Life Membership 

Eva Hendrie VIC Honorary Life Membership 

Jessie Ussher VIC Honorary Life Membership 

Elizabeth Bail (Beth) WA Honorary Life Membership 

Margaret Vallentine WA Honorary Life Membership 

Margaret Hemmings ACT Distinguished Service Award 

Shirley Horswill NSW Distinguished Service Award 

Meglyn Lawther NSW Distinguished Service Award 

John Scott MacLennan NSW Distinguished Service Award 

Roderick Roland Minell NSW Distinguished Service Award 

Jemima "Ina" Sinclair NT Distinguished Service Award 

Sylvia Meg (Meg) Arthur QLD Distinguished Service Award 

Elizabeth Joyce Hansen QLD Distinguished Service Award 

Margaret Walsh QLD Distinguished Service Award 

Barbara Johnson SA Distinguished Service Award 

Lynne Landy VIC Distinguished Service Award 

Joan Owen VIC Distinguished Service Award 

Carol Richardson VIC Distinguished Service Award 

Jill Stringer VIC Distinguished Service Award 

Anne Ivy Brinkworth WA Distinguished Service Award 

Louise Hunt WA Distinguished Service Award 

Lorraine Sanderson WA Distinguished Service Award 

Carol O'Shea ARCBS Distinguished Staff Award 

Vedran Drakulic NAT Distinguished Staff Award 

Frank Ellis NT Distinguished Staff Award 

Sonya Keep QLD Distinguished Staff Award 

Melissa Patterson QLD Distinguished Staff Award 

Chris Staines QLD Distinguished Staff Award 

Noelene Humphries TAS Distinguished Staff Award 

Phyl Ockerby TAS Distinguished Staff Award 

Pamela Morris WA Distinguished Staff Award 

Marie Sellstrom ARCBS Meritorious Service Award 

Susanne Brown NT Meritorious Service Award 

Helen McEwen NT Meritorious Service Award 

Craig Seiler NT Meritorious Service Award 

Joan Washington NT Meritorious Service Award 

Alan Clayton QLD Meritorious Service Award (Bar) 

Greg Goebel QLD Meritorious Service Award 

Sheryl English VIC Meritorious Service Award 

Lorraine Fagg VIC Meritorious Service Award 

Joanne Wilson-Hawe VIC Meritorious Service Award 

Michael Barker NT Youth Meritorious Service Award 

Bree Steward NT Youth Meritorious Service Award 

Anna McInerney SA Youth Meritorious Service Award 

Gerald Condon QLD First Aid Award of Merit 


P45

Henry Dunant supporters 

Henry Dunant is the highest level of 

membership, involving a financial 

contribution of $500 per year. In 

recognition of their generosity, we 

acknowledge the following members: 

Australian Capital Territory 

New South Wales 

Mr D Lean 

Mr S Borland 

Ms Mary Pollard 

Mr Keith L Bennett 

Mr Ian Burton 

Mrs Martha Danos 

Mr Andrew Everett 

Mr Peter John Hanson 

Mr Derek Heath 

Ms Kimberley Lehmann Needle 

Ms Yik Chi Sam Li 

Mr Michael Lieu 

Mr Shih-Chieh Lin 

Ms Karen Loblay 

Mr Michael Lynch 

Mr Fernando Merodio 

Mr John Moller 

Mrs Barbara Osborne 

Ms Robin B Potter 

Mr James C Ryan 

Mr Simon Stevenson 

Mrs Edith C Stewart 

Mr Juan Tan 

Mr Gary Vassallo 

Ms Ning Wong 

Northern Territory 

Mr John Reeves 

Mr Peter Kennon 

Queensland 

Mrs Jane Blomfield 

Dr Samuel Kim 

South Australia 

Ms Christin Morony 

Mrs Irene Moseley 

Mr Stan Robinson 

Dr Jane Thorn 

Victoria 

Dr Susan Bevan 

Miss Margaret Bowman 

Miss Rachel Choi 

Mr Matt Bolton 

Western Australia 

Mrs Eve Shannon-Cullity 

Mr Ian Anson 

Tasmania 

No supporters submitted for this year. 


P46

goal 3 

forge a unified, inclusive and sustainable 

movement, soundly managed and financially 

secure, which reflects our country’s diversity 

Will Salter 


P47

Governance Statement 

1. Formation and incorporation 

Australian Red Cross was initially formed as a branch of British Red Cross in 1914, 

and was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1941. 

Supplemental Charters and new Rules were made in 1961, 1999 and 2004 with 

the consent of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. 

2. Australian Red Cross undertakes significant reform 

In 2004 Australian Red Cross embarked upon one of the most significant Governance and management reforms in its 90-year 

history. A key aspect of that reform was the conferral on the Australian Red Cross Board the authority to determine what would 

be the ‘national functions’ of the organisation. In 2005 a wide definition of these national functions was adopted by the Board, 

giving it the power to determine policies across the organisation in almost all strategic areas. 

The effect of this reform has been to enable the Chief Executive Officer to lead a national management team dedicated to 

building a cohesive national organisation. 

The Chief Executive Officer is supported in leading this new national function framework by three senior managers, namely the 

Director of Operations, the Chief Financial Officer and the National Director, Marketing, Fundraising & Communications. 

When the functions are not national but are delivered in more than one State or Territory, the National Management team will 

endeavour to coordinate and standardise them to the maximum extent possible, bearing in mind any relevant local conditions 

and circumstances. 

Where functions are Divisional (operating only in that Division), the Executive Director of the Division continues to report to the 

Divisional Board, although the Australian Red Cross Board will monitor the ongoing profile of these activities. 

3. Strategic planning and budget reforms 

For the first time in its 91 years of existence, Australian Red Cross has achieved a 

national framework for the annual budget which will allow the financial management 

of the organisation to be aligned to the now well-established strategic planning and 

implementation process. 


P48

Governance Statement continued... 

4. Council of the Society 

The Council usually meets once a year at the Annual General Meeting. The membership is made up as follows: 

The President 

28 voting members – the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, 

a Youth representative, and the Chairman of each of the eight State and Territory offices and 16 representatives taken 

from the States and Territories. 

Up to seven non-voting members – the President and a maximum of six Vice Presidents. 

President 

Her Excellency Mrs Marlena Jeffery 

Vice-Presidents 

John Pinney AM 

Belinda Barnard 

Rod Martin 

Rod McKinnon ESM 

Margot Stretch AM 


Australian Red Cross Board 

and Council Members 

Greg Vickery AM 

Chairman 

Michael Legge 

Vice Chairman 

Graham Addison 

(to April 06) 

Chairman, Audit and Risk 

Management Committee 

Garry Richardson 

(from April 06) 

Sam Reed 

Representative of the Youth 

Section 

Ron Clapham 

ACT Divisional Chairman 

Richard Dunn 

NSW Divisional Chairman 

John Reeves QC 

NT Divisional Chairman 

Tony Pixley 

QLD Divisional Chairman 

Alan Clayton 

QLD Divisional Chairman 

(to Nov 05) 

Jim Kostoglou 

SA Divisional Chairman 

(from Nov 05) 

Dennis Daniels PSM 

TAS Divisional Chairman 

Richard Stone 

VIC Divisional Chairman 

Ian Anson 

WA Divisional Chairman 

Council – Divisional 

Representatives 

Kaye Hogan AM PSM 

and Doug Barton 

ACT Division 

John Fries and Robyn Rooth 

NSW Division 

Rick Damelian 

NSW Division 

(until Nov 05) 


and Belinda Peacocke 

NT Division 

Tony Pixley and Katherine Wall 

QLD Division 

Joan Lindsay 

QLD Division (until Nov 05) 

Barbara Deed and Tim Murton 

SA Division 

Michael Howarth and Scott Harvey 

TAS Division 

Judy Newnham OAM 

and Gillian Abbott 

VIC Division 

Bill Ainley 

VIC Division (until Nov 05) 

Betty Smith-Gander OAM 

and Mr Peter Baughan 

WA Division 

Kate Cornell and Jill Lester 

Co-opted Board Members 


P49


1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 

7. 8. 

5. Australian Red Cross Board 


The Council elects members to the 

Board, appoints auditors and also has 

the right to amend the Charter and Rules. 

The Board consists of 12 persons all 

of whom are members of the Council. 

The twelve people are four elected 

office bearers and a representative 

appointed from each of the Divisions, 

other than the Australian Red Cross 

Blood Service (ARCBS). Two additional 

Board Members were appointed to the 

Board in July 2006. 

1. Greg Vickery AM BA/LL.B (UQ) 

Chairman 

Mr Vickery was first elected Chairman in 

2003 and has extensive legal, education 

and Red Cross experience. Mr Vickery 

has served on the Queensland Divisional 

Board, including the role of Chairman 

(1998-2002), on the ARCBS Board and 

previously as a member of the Australian 

Red Cross Board and Council. 

Professionally he is a Senior Partner and 

Brisbane Chairman of Deacons Lawyers. 

He also holds positions as Adjunct 

Professor in Law at the University of 

Queensland and member of the National 

Companies and Markets Advisory 

Committee. He is also a court-appointed 

mediator and arbitrator, member of the 

Key Centre for Ethics Law Justice and 

Governance and Chairman of the 

Queensland Law Society Company Law 

section and Vice Chairman of the Law 

Council’s Corporations Committee. 

2. Michael Legge 

Vice Chairman 

Mr Legge was elected Vice Chairman 

in 2003 after joining Australian Red Cross 

in 1986. He has been a member of the 

Tasmanian Division Council and Finance 

Committee and was Deputy Chairman 

of the Division in 1998 and Chairman 

in 1999. Mr Legge has been a member 

of the ARCBS Board since 2001 and 

manages a diverse agricultural and 

mining business. He is also a 

Director/Chairman of several 

organisations. 

P50 

3. Graham Addison FCA FCPA B Bus 

Grad Dip Bus FCSA FICD Grad Dip 

CSP Chairman, Audit and Risk 


– to 1 April 2006 

Mr Addison was appointed (then) 

Honorary Treasurer in 2001 after six 

years as Treasurer of the Western 

Australian Division. He has been 

a partner in the chartered accounting 

firm KPMG for 20 years and has 

extensive experience in not-for-profit 

organisations. Mr Addison was formerly 

Vice President and Treasurer of the 

Paraplegic Quadriplegic Association 

of Western Australia. 

4. Garry Richardson Chairman, Audit 

and Risk Management Committee 

– from 1 April 2006 

Mr Richardson has had extensive 

experience as a chief executive in 

the Australian health insurance industry 

in addition to other senior positions 

in the financial industry. He retired from 

his executive career in 1997 and is now 

an independent, non-executive director. 

In addition to his role as Board Member 

of Australian Red Cross, Mr Richardson 

currently holds positions as Chair of 

Health Super Pty Ltd; Commissioner 

of the Private Health Insurance 

Administration Council; Chair of Housing 

Guarantee Fund Ltd; and Independent 

Chair of the Stonnington City Council 

Audit Committee. Mr Richardson is a 

Fellow of the Australian Institute of 

Company Directors. 

5. Ian Anson CPA, AAIB 

Mr Anson has been a practising 

accountant and business consultant for 

over 30 years. Mr Anson became Chair 

of Western Australian Division and a 

member of the Australian Red Cross 

Board in November 2004 after serving as 

an office bearer and on Divisional 

Committees since joining 

in 1998. 

6. Kate Carnell AO – Additional Board 

Member – commenced July 2006 

Best known for her successful term 

as Chief Minister of the Australian Capital 

Territory from 1995-2000, Ms Carnell 

held the Treasury, Health and Community 

Care, Information Technology and 

Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander 

Affairs portfolios among others. Currently 

the CEO of Australian Divisions of 

General Practice (ADGP), a Patron of 

UNIFEM, among other organisations, 

and chair of CRC Forestry Ltd, 

Ms Carnell also holds Directorships of 

the Institute of Technology Australia and 

National Institute of Clinical Studies. 

Ms Carnell has been Chair of Red Cross 

‘Caring Across Canberra Appeal’ for the 

past three years. 

7. Ron Clapham BA LL.B 

Mr Clapham is a partner of Meyer 

Vandenberg Lawyers in Canberra where 

he has practised as a lawyer for 27 years 

and has been a public notary since 1982. 

He was first elected Chairman of the 

Australian Capital Territory Division of 

Australian Red Cross in 1994-1996, 

before being re-elected in 2004. 

Mr Clapham has been a member of 

Australian Red Cross in the Australian 

Capital Territory since 1990. 

8. Alan Clayton – from November 2005 

Mr Clayton joined Red Cross in 1979 

as a foundation member of the 

Queensland IHL Advisory Committee 

and was its chair from 1992 until 2005. 

He was elected to the Board in 1999 

and has held positions on, and chaired 

a number of, Divisional committees. 

Mr Clayton was elected Queensland 

Division Chairman in 2005. Mr Clayton 

has had more than 37 years’ experience 

in senior educational management and 

policy positions within the Queensland 

Public Service. Though retired, he 

continues to practise as an educational 

consultant.


9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 

9. Dennis Daniels PSM 

Mr Daniels was elected Chairman of the 

Tasmanian Divisional Council and as a 

member of the Australian Red Cross 

Board in 2003. Mr Daniels was first 

elected to the Divisional Council in 2001. 

During his professional career Mr Daniels 

served on various councils and boards, 

including the Council of Social Welfare 

Administrators, the Australian Aboriginal 

Affairs Council, the Child Protection 

Board, the Mental Health Guardianship 

Board, and the Alcohol and Drug 

Dependency Board. 

10. Richard Dunn FCPA 

Before taking up a position as 

Corporate Governance Director with 

a management services organisation, 

Mr Dunn was the Director, Internal Audit 

for the State Rail Authority, and prior to 

that was Assistant Auditor General in 

the New South Wales Auditor General’s 

Office. He is a past member of the 

Australian Society of Certified Practising 

Accountants Public Sector Accounting 

Centre of Excellence. Mr Dunn has been 

the Chair of the New South Wales 

Division since 2003 and has held a 

range of Council and executive 

positions in the New South Wales 

Division since 1995. 

11. Jim Kostoglou 

Mr Kostoglou has 34 years of executive 

experience in the petroleum industry. 

Following retirement he has served 

on a number of community and 

business development committees. 

Mr Kostoglou has been Chairman of 

the Executive of the South Australian 

Division since 2003 and is also 

a member of various committees of 

the Division. 

12. Jill Lester – Additional Board 

Member – commenced July 2006 

Jill Lester is a communications 

professional, specialising in reputation 

and crisis management, and strategic 

communications advice. Her previous 

roles include a decade as Executive 

General Manager, Communications of 

the Commonwealth Bank, where she 

was responsible for providing advice 

to the CEO and Leadership Team on 

reputation management, public relations, 

community relations and internal 

communications to the Bank's 35,000 

staff. She has also had extensive 

experience in the Australian Public 

Service, most recently with the 

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

She sits on a number of boards, 

including the US based International 

Issues Management Council and the 

Advisory Board of the Australian Centre 

for Public Communication, University of 

Technology, Sydney. 

Jill has Bachelor degrees in Arts and 

Economics, post graduate qualifications 

in Education and Librarianship and a 

Masters Degree in Economics. 

13. Tony Pixley – to November 2005 

Mr Pixley has over 30 years 

experience as a senior executive in 

the petroleum industry. Mr Pixley joined 

the Queensland Division of the Society 

in 1975. Mr Pixley was elected 

Chairman of the Queensland Division 

in 2002, and has 20 years service 

on the Divisional Board and its 

committees. 

14. Sam Reed 

Representative of the Youth Section 

Mr Reed was elected as Representative 

of the Youth Section on the Australian 

Red Cross Board and Council in 

November 2004. Mr Reed previously 

served on a number of committees and 

as Youth Representative in the South 

Australian Division. 

15. John Reeves QC 

Mr Reeves has practised as a barrister 

in Darwin for 20 years and was 

appointed a QC in 1997. Mr Reeves has 

been Chairman of the Northern Territory 

Bar Association since 2000 and Vice 

President of the Australian Bar 

Association since 2004. Mr Reeves 

was a member of the House of 

Representatives 1983-1984 representing 

the Northern Territory. Mr Reeves joined 

the Council of the Northern Territory 

Division of Red Cross in 1998 and was 

elected Deputy Chairman in 2002 and 

Chairman in 2003. 

16. Richard Stone FAIBF AICD 

ANACD (USA) 

Mr Stone is Head of Corporate 

Governance KPMG Australia and 

has held a number of business and 

community board positions including 

Rotary Club President and Board 

Member of the Central Melbourne 

and Christian Brothers Foundations. 

Mr Stone was elected Chairman of the 

Victorian Division and to the Australian 

Red Cross Board in 2001, having 

served as Deputy Chairman of the 

Division and on the Council of the 

Society since 1997. 

The Chief Executive Officer, Chief 

Financial Officer, Director of Operations, 

Director – Marketing, Fundraising and 

Communications and the Board 

Secretary attend meetings of the 

Board but are not members. 


P51


5. Australian Red Cross Board (cont’d) 


P52 

Australian Red Cross Board 

role and responsibility 

The role and responsibilities of the 

Board include: 

providing strategic direction and 

approving strategic initiatives and 

endorsing implementation plans; 

evaluating the performance of and 

selecting the Chief Executive Officer 

(CEO) and endorsing the selection 

of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), 

Director of Operations (DOO) and 

National Director – Marketing, 

Fundraising and Communications 

(NDMF&C); 

setting CEO and senior 

management remuneration; 

succession planning; 

financial performance and reporting; 

risk management; 

relationship with the Red Cross and 

Red Crescent Movement, 

maintaining a direct and ongoing 

dialogue with the IFRC, ICRC and 

other National Societies, ensuring 

the Movement is informed of the 

Australian Red Cross position on 

significant developments; 

maintaining a policy (and 

compliance) framework; 

evaluating the performance of 

the Board as a team; 

selecting and recommending 

to Council the appointment or 

otherwise of the external auditor; 

determining the terms of 

appointment and ongoing 

independence of the external 

auditor; maintaining a direct and 

open dialogue with the external 

auditor. 

The roles and responsibilities of the 

Board will soon be encapsulated 

within a Governance Charter. 

The Charter will describe those matters 

that are reserved for the Board and its 

Committees, and those the Board has 

delegated to its Blood Service (ARCBS) 

and management. 

The Selection and Role of the 

Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 

the Chairman of the Audit & Risk 


The Council of the Society elects the 

Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the 

Chairman of the Audit & Risk 

Management Committee from among 

the members of Australian Red Cross 

at the Annual General Meeting. 

The Chairman’s role includes: 

providing effective leadership on 

formulating the strategic direction 

of Australian Red Cross; 

ensuring the Board meets at regular 

intervals, and minutes of meetings 

accurately record decisions taken; 

Australian Red Cross member 

independence 

All members of the Board, other than 

those persons appointed as an 

Additional Board Member, must be 

members of the Society. With the 

endorsement of the Board, the 

Divisions may establish Divisional 

Boards with different eligibility criteria, 

including for independent Board 

Members. If independent Board 

Members are appointed in the Divisions 

then each Division determines the 

processes to ensure independence of 

Divisional Board Members upon 

appointment is maintained. 

Avoidance of conflicts of interest 

by an Australian Red Cross Board 

Member 

The Board is conscious of its 

obligations to ensure that Board 

Members avoid conflicts of interest 

(both actual and apparent) between 

their duty to the Society and their own 

interests and has under development 

policy and procedures to ensure 

conflicts and potential conflicts of 

interest are disclosed to the Board. 

Developing policy will provide that if 

there is an actual or potential conflict 

of interest, that member must formally 

declare the conflict and abstain from 

voting on the matter giving rise to the 

conflict. The disclosure is to be 

recorded in the minutes and the Board 

shall decide whether the member shall 

remain in the meeting or not while the 

subject of the disclosure is considered. 

A register of conflicts will be maintained. 

Australian Red Cross Board Member participation at meetings 

for the year ended 30 June 2006 

A B A B 

Greg Vickery AM 10 10 John Reeves QC 10 9 

Michael Legge 10 9 Tony Pixley (b) 10 3 

Graham Addison 8 8 Alan Clayton (a) 7 7 

Garry Richardson 3 2 Jim Kostoglou 10 9 

Sam Reed 10 9 Dennis Daniels 10 9 

Ron Clapham 10 8 Richard Stone 10 10 

Richard Dunn 10 9 Ian Anson 10 10 

A Meetings held during the period of office of the Board Member 

B Meetings attended by the Board Member 

(a) Denotes appointment at the AGM of the Council on 25 November 2005 

(b) Denotes retirement at the AGM of the Council on 25 November 2005


6. Committees 7. Australian Red Cross 

Blood Service (ARCBS) 

Meetings of the Australian Red 

Cross Board and their conduct 

The Board has 11 scheduled meetings 

each year. It also meets whenever 

necessary to deal with specific matters 

between the scheduled meetings, 

usually by way of teleconference. 

The Office Bearers in consultation 

with the CEO meet throughout 

the year to ensure comprehensive 

consideration of Australian Red Cross 

operations and financial reporting and 

the organisation’s strategic direction 

and major risks. The Board Members 

who approve the meeting program 

have the opportunity to review the 

meeting materials seven days in 

advance. Board Members are always 

encouraged to participate with a robust 

exchange of views and to bring their 

judgements to bear on the issues 

and decisions at hand. 

The CEO, DoO, CFO and NDMF&C 

attend all Board meetings and other 

senior members of the management 

team are regularly invited to attend 

Board meetings for items of interest 

and those of its committees to deliver 

presentations. They are able to be 

contacted by Board Members between 

meetings. The Board regularly meets 

for a period without management or 

the Board Secretary immediately 

before each meeting. The Audit & Risk 

Management Committee and also the 

Nominations and Remuneration 

Committee may meet without 

management as it requires, including 

meeting with the auditors or 

consultants. 

The Australian Red Cross Board 

has an established comprehensive 

framework of committees to support 

Australian Red Cross in policy 

formulation, governance and 

accountability. 

The following Committees have 

been established by the Australian 

Red Cross Board: 

Asian Quake & Tsunami Appeal 

Steering Committee 

Audit and Risk Management 

Committee 

Blood Service Governance Committee 

Divisional Rules Review Committee 

International Operations Committee 

National Asset Strategy Committee 

National Awards Committee 

National Emergency Services 

National Tracing, Refugee & 

Asylum Seeker Advisory Committee 

National Youth Advisory Committee 

Nominations and Remunerations 

Committee 

Committee procedures 

The Committees develop an annual 

meeting plan but also meet on other 

occasions as necessary. Each 

Committee is entitled to the resources 

and information it requires, including 

direct access to the CEO, senior 

management, and access to 

professional advice subject to prior 

approval from the Chairman and 

CEO as applicable. 

A copy of the minutes and/or reports 

from all Committee meetings form part 

of the papers for the next practicable 

meeting of the Board and usually the 

Chairman of the Committee will present 

the Report. Each Committee must 

review its own performance annually. 

Board Secretary 

The Board Secretary is responsible for: 

functional responsibilities for the 

management of the company 

secretarial functions of the Board; 

together with the CEO, carrying 

out the instructions of the Board, 

assisting in the implementation of 

strategies and giving practical effect 

to the Board’s decisions; and 

assisting the Board and individual 

Board Members with governance 

principles, assistance in the 

implementation of governance 

programs and advice on the 

Charter and Rules. 


P53

8. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the national team 

The Australian Red Cross Board has 

delegated to the ARCBS Board the 

management of its Blood Service 

subject to the authority of the Australian 

Red Cross Board set out in the Charter 

and Rules. An ARCBS Advisory 

Committee has been established for 

the purpose of advising the ARCBS 

Board on a range of technical and 

safety issues concerning the Blood 

Service. The Australian Red Cross 

Board appoints all members of the 

ARCBS Board (with the exception of 

the ARCBS CEO) and the ARCBS 

Advisory Committee and determines 

the remuneration of members of the 

ARCBS Board. The ARCBS Board 

appoints the CEO of the Blood Service 

on terms and conditions it determines. 

The independent governance 

framework of the Blood Service is 

described in a separate Annual Report. 

Robert Tickner (LL.B, LL.M Hons, BEc) 

Robert Tickner has been the Chief 

Executive Officer (CEO) since February 

2005. Mr Tickner brings a wealth of 

knowledge of international issues and 

policy development, marketing and 

communications to Australian 

Red Cross. Prior to taking up this 

appointment he was the CEO of Job 

Futures Ltd (2000-2005). Mr Tickner 

served as Federal Minister for 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

Affairs from 1990-1996, was Chairman 

of the Parliamentary Group of Amnesty 

International for ten years, served on 

many parliamentary delegations and 

has represented Australia before the 

United Nations. Prior to being elected 

to Parliament in 1984, Mr Tickner was 

a Lecturer in Law at the New South 

Wales Institute of Technology and then 

Principal Solicitor to the New South 

Wales Aboriginal Legal Service. 

Dale Cleaver 

Dale Cleaver is the Director of 

Operations at Australian Red Cross 

(Chief Operating Officer), responsible for 

the day-to-day operations of Australian 

Red Cross, including International 

Operations, Domestic Operations, 

Tracing, Refugees, International 

Humanitarian Law, Community Services, 

Youth, Human Resources and Strategy. 

Dale has worked within the not-for-profit 

environment for over 20 years in a 

variety of roles and functions, including 

aged care and disability. Dale has 

qualifications in social work and 

management. From November 2004 

to February 2005 Dale was acting 

Secretary-General and was in charge of 

the Red Cross Tsunami Appeal following 

the tragedy of 26 December 2004. 

He has continued in the role of Appeals 

Director for the Tsunami Appeal. 

Prior to moving to National Office, 

Dale was Executive Director of the 

South Australian Division of Australian 

Red Cross. 

Justin Cooper 


P54 

From left to right: Steve Joske Executive 

Director WA, Greg Goebel Executive Director 

Queensland, Sue Miller General Manager 

Organisational Development, Kerry Symons 

Executive Director SA, David Ham Business 

Strategy Manager, Ian Burke Executive 

Director TAS, Sharon Mulholland Executive 

Director NT, John O’Connor Chief Financial 

Officer, Ian Rentsch Executive Director ACT, 

Andrew Hilton Executive Director VIC, 

Jennifer Gibb Director Marketing, Fundraising 

& Communications, Robert Tickner CEO, 

Dale Cleaver Director of Operations, Lewis 

Kaplan Executive Director NSW. Absent: 

Noel Clement Domestic Operations General 

Manager, Donna McSkimming International 

Operations General Manager.

9. Audit and financial accountability 

John M O’Connor, FCPA, MAICD, 

B.Bus (Acct’g), M.Mktg 

John O’Connor joined Australian Red 

Cross in January 2005 as the inaugural 

Chief Financial Officer of Australian Red 

Cross. The position was created after 

the Society changed its Governance 

structure in late 2004, replacing the 

‘Honorary Treasurer’ role. 

John has extensive international 

experience in the manufacturing and 

service sectors across a diverse range 

of disciplines including finance, general 

management, marketing and strategic 

development. 

In addition to his role at Australian Red 

Cross, he is also a volunteer Board 

Member of ‘Guide Dogs Victoria’ which 

provides services to vision and mobility 

impaired people. 

Jennifer Gibb M Comm B Comm 

LTCL ATCL 

Jennifer Gibb has been National 

Director, Marketing, Fundraising and 

Communications since May 2004. 

She has an established career in 

profit-focused business development, 

direct marketing and corporate 

communications, particularly in the 

financial services area, in Australia, 

USA and UK. 

Prior to joining Australian Red Cross, 

Jennifer held the dual roles for 

Accenture of Director of Marketing, 

Financial Services - Asia Pacific 

and Director of Marketing & 

Communications - Australia and 

previously was Director, Business 

Development & Communications at 

Clayton Utz. Her background also 

includes sourcing and establishing 

new start-up business initiatives for 

the Lend Lease Group, Barclays 

Bank (UK), American Express 

and AGC. 

Jennifer has also studied, played and 

taught music professionally in Australia, 

the US and UK for more than 25 years. 

Other members of the National 

Management Team include senior 

national office managers and the 

Executive Directors of the Divisions. 

The Australian Red Cross Board 

receives regular reports about the 

financial condition, operational results, 

compliance and risk factors. The CEO 

and CFO provide regular statements 

of financial performance and the formal 

financial statements attest that the 

financial statements present a true 

and fair view of the financial 

condition and operational 

results of Australian Red Cross. 

Audit governance and independence 

Audit governance principles – the 

Board is committed to preparing 

financial reports that represent a true 

and fair view, complying with all 

applicable and relevant accounting 

standards and also to ensuring the 

external auditor is independent and 

services the interests of Australian 

Red Cross. Australian Accounting 

Standards are monitored and practices 

reviewed accordingly. 

The Board maintains a high standard 

of internal control in all aspects of its 

operations. Internal control comprises 

all policies, systems and procedures 

established by the Board and local 

management to safeguard assets and 

ensure the accuracy and reliability of 

records, provide operational efficiency 

and encourage adherence to the 

Society’s policies. To achieve this, the 

Board has established two principle 

Committees – the Audit & Risk 

Management and National Asset 

Strategy Committees, which operate as 

an independent appraisal to measure 

and evaluate the effectiveness of internal 

controls being applied throughout 

Australian Red Cross. 

Australian Red Cross appointed BDO 

as its auditors in February 2006 for an 

initial three-year term. 

The Audit & Risk Management 

Committee may meet with the external 

auditor without management being 

present. The external auditor attends 

the Annual General Meeting and is 

available to answer questions from 

the Council on the conduct of the 

audit, the preparation and content of 

the audit report, the accounting policies 

adopted in the preparation of the 

accounts and the independence of 

the auditor in relation to the conduct 

of the audit. 

Internal audit – the Audit & Risk 

Management Committee is currently 

developing an Internal Audit Charter to 

include the standards, relationships and 

the other internal audit arrangements 

applicable to the Australian Red Cross 

environment. 


P55

General enquiries 

1 800 246 850 

Donations 

1 800 811 700 

First Aid enquiries 

1 300 367 428 

Blood Donor enquiries 

13 14 95 

www.redcross.org.au 

National Office 

155 Pelham Street 

Carlton VIC 3053 

Tel 03 9345 1800 

ACT 

Cnr Hindmarsh Drive 

and Palmer Street 

Garran ACT 2605 

Tel 02 6206 6000 

NSW 

159 Clarence Street 

Sydney NSW 2000 

Tel 02 9229 4111 

NT 

Cnr Lambell Terrace 

and Schultz Street 

Larrakeyah NT 0820 

Tel 08 8924 3900 

QLD 

49 Park Road 

Milton QLD 4064 

Tel 07 3367 7222 

SA 

207-217 Wakefield Street 

Adelaide SA 5000 

Tel 08 8100 4500 

TAS 

40 Melville Street 

Hobart TAS 7000 

Tel 03 6235 6077 

VIC 

23-47 Villiers Street 

North Melbourne VIC 3051 

Tel 03 8327 7700 

WA 

110 Goderich Street 

East Perth WA 6004 

Tel 08 9325 5111

Annual report - Australian Red Cross

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