On Wednesday August 19, 1914 the Wellington Times reported that the mayor of Wellington, Mr T. Kennard, convened a meeting "for the purpose of forming a local branch of the Red Cross Society, to provide clothing and other comforts for the members of the Commonwealth expeditionary force.
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The mayor presided and there were present 45 ladies and about a dozen gentlemen.
The mayoress, Mrs T. Kennard, was elected president.
The newly formed Wellington Red Cross Society wasted no time in arranging fundraising as a Grand Red Cross Concert was held only nine days later and now, 1000 years later, the Wellington branch will be celebrating its Centenary with a luncheon at Hermitage Hill on Saturday August 23 its secretary Jenny Bremner said.
"Today Red Cross is still here for people in need, no matter who they are or where they live and the Wellington branch is still flourishing as part of the world's largest humanitarian movement," she said.
Meanwhile the Red Cross Blood Service will be in Wellington on Wednesday.
There are a number of long term local blood providers but Red Cross is asking for our help.
They will be in the Coles/Woolworths car park from 9.30am.
Red Cross says one in three Australians will need blood or a blood product in their lifetime, but only one in 30 currently donates
