PRESIDENT'S REVIEW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 68, 27 April 1945, Page 6

PRESIDENT'S REVIEW

WORK OF THE RED CROSS

WHAKATANE SUB-CENTRE

In her review of the year's work, Mrs W. president of the Whakatane Sub-Centre ol' the N.Z. Red Cross Society at the. annual meeting stated as under:— Another year of successful and sustained effort has concluded. The Knitting Circle has completed 489 garments of these 2(54 were sent to the Patriotic Depot, 179 to the Joint Council and 28 garments made for farewell parcels. Mrs Timbs, convener expressed thanks* to all helpers including sub ccntres ; members of the Women's the Ohope Ladies' Committee and the Junior Red Crt>ss. The Sewing Circle, under Mrs has sent to the Joint Council 38 pairs of pyjamas and 18 dressing gowns. Thanks are again due. to Women's Institute and High School girls. Members also made 6 pairs bloomers > 2 rompers and 1 blouse of grey flannel for refugee relief. The Lady Galway Guild sent 15 cases containing 2356 garments and some toys to England, 435 garments to the Greek Appeal and 4 cases, containing 570 garments to the Polish Children's Camp. Great credit is due to the Mrs Moran } who personally packed all these articles as well as doing a great deal of the sorting and mending. The Whakatane sub-centre Entertainments Committee, under Mrs E. Armstrong, have assisted at three Welcome Home as well as arranging farewells to 19 men proceeding to each of whom has been given a parcel of knitted goods and £2 in cash. Mrs Shapley's Comforts Committee packed 214 Patriotic parcels during the year the contents supplied by the Patriotic Funds Board. The Women's Institute donated and packed 15 parcels, making a total of 229. Thirty hussifs Avere also made and filled. The committee thanks Women's Institute members, and also the public for donations of books which were included in the. parcels 5 and packing material. The Junior Red Cross has been active members holding very successful shop days in aid of their funds. The Standard XI Circle gave a bassinette and quilt to the Maternity Annexe at the Hospital, the High School bought more books for the Junior Red Cross Library in the Children's Ward, collected and donated books and games for the T.B. Ward, and donated £25 to the Greek Junior Red Cross.

Tlie V.A. Detachment, under Mrs F. Prideaux, has suffered in its training somewhat this year through lack of accommodation, but has had regular meetings attended several Church parades and raised a good sum i'or the Building Fund. The Detachment hopes to be houses in its own quarters during the coming year. A section has been bought,' plans for a Red Cross Headquarters and V.A. Training Room drawn up and approved, and a contract let for the erect ioni of ( the building. The bulk of the. sum needed is well in sight. The Whakatane Branch raised £426 7s Id for Patriotic Funds during the year, and is now embarking on this year's appeal when it is hoped to raise £500. The special appeal for Polish Relief ragised £187 5s 3d. A total of £262 19s 9d. being raised by the Centre. The sum of £1'0*) exchange free was donated by ' the Whakatane Branch to the International Red Cross. The work of the Crippled Children Society in this area was also undertaken by the Red Cross and Miss Larew, Welfare Officer has reported regularly to the committee. However the work has already grown so that a sub-committee, under Mrs D. Pearse has been formed to deal with this work, and report to the. Whakatane Branch when neccssary. A street appeal for this cause realised about £36. The Branch has also collaborated with the Health Camp and stamps to the value, of £10 10s were sold by Mrs Barry and members of the Junior Red Cross. In conclusion I wish to sincerely thank all those officers and members who have given so much work to the committees, and without whom we could never have accomplished so much. Especially may I mention the untiring work of the Secretary of the Centre, Mrs Win- | stone, who is also the Secretary oT the WlvaUatane Sub-Branch.