Remembrance and the Red Cross

Published on 16 November 2023

In the very early morning of 11 November 1918, Germany was falling apart with revolution.

Their envoys went to Compiègne Forest to talk to the Allies.

They signed terms stating hostilities would cease at 11 o'clock.

Fighting continued until then, with more than 2,000 people killed in those final hours.

The Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour database lists 18 Australian servicemen who died on 11 November 1918.

In 2023, here in Kiama, while we remember the fallen, the pain and the sacrifice, I extend this tribute of remembrance to those who worked to reduce the pain and still do.

The Australian Red Cross was formed right after the outbreak of the First World War and provided support for soldiers, dispatching hundreds of thousands of food and clothing parcels.

Women volunteers across our area played a significant role, contributing time and effort to make clothing for soldiers overseas, bringing comfort to the front lines with items as simple as a pair of dry socks.

Around the world, whenever a humanitarian crisis occurs, the Red Cross or Red Crescent is always one of the first organisations on the scene, thanks in part to money raised here by the Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong Red Cross Branches.

From the start of the heartbreaking conflict in Israel and Gaza, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams have worked to help those who need it most. They are also in Ukraine providing aid, transportation, medication and shelter.

Recently, the scale of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria was almost too much to comprehend.

An Australian team visited the earthquake zone in southern Türkiye as part of an Australian Red Cross monitoring trip, to check on the progress of activities funded by donors like you.

Locally, the Red Cross is here as well, providing shelter, comfort and hope following bushfires, floods and any other disaster.

They still guide us through adversity.

They still command respect.

They still make the Red Cross unique.

The movement never takes sides, nor is regarded as doing so, either in its speech or actions at any time or place.

Neutrality ensures the Red Cross has our confidence and can provide humanitarian support to all.

As an elected leader, a member of the RSL and a former soldier, I had a role to play in the local Remembrance Day Commemoration at our Kiama Memorial arch.

I paused for silence at 11am and reflected on the sickening, constant repetition of war.

The disturbing and tragic events are a lot to process as we see them unfold in real-time through our screens and in our minds.

I understand this heightens our community’s stress.

But I also reflect on the magnificent work of Red Cross Australia.

This permits me to remember the past and reflect on the present…but retain hope for the future.