Early Members of Levin Red Cross

Covering the years 1941 - 1976

Miss BERRETI

Miss Berreti was present at the first meeting of Levin Red Cross on July 2^nd 1941 and was a regular attendant until ill-health prevented her coming to the rooms. She still attended afternoon functions whenever possible. She later left Levin and died in June 1980.

Mrs G BRYCE

Joined the Red Cross in 1944, she became a Vice-President and later took on the duties of Secretary. Ever since then, she has rolled papers at her home in Levin and has brought in each year a considerable sum of money from the papers, towards the building fund. She was a most efficient Secretary for five years, but gave up coming to work at the rooms on her retirement from that office.

Mrs H BURDEKIN

Present at the first meeting of Levin Red Cross on July 2^nd 1941. Afterwards her husband, Mr M H Burdekin became Mayor and patron of Levin Red Cross. Mrs Burdekin became patroness from 1946 until May 1952. She was a tireless worker for all causes and made generous contributions to all Red Cross appeals.

Mrs I HAIR

Joined the Red Cross in 1942 and was awarded the long service medal at the Jubilee in 1966 after 24 years service.

When it was proposed to arrange afternoons for entertaining the blind in 1956-57, Mrs Hair took that charge and in 1970 was still organising them four times a year, including a Christmas party, inviting the guests and arranging transport. When a sales table was started, Mrs Hair undertook the charge of it every Thursday at the sewing circle. The table brought in a substantial sum every month until at least 1970.

Mrs HILLS

Joined the Red Cross in 1944 and was asked to take over the duties of serving afternoon tea at the weekly meetings in that year, and for 20 years, up to the time of her short illness, she never missed. The president said at the Jubilee "We utterly relied on Mrs Hills for our afternoon tea. She died August 1965 and was awarded the posthumous medal at the 1966 Jubilee.

Mrs O M HUNTER

Joined Levin Red Cross in 1944 and with 22 years service was awarded the long service medal at the 1966 Jubilee. Mrs Hunter has served as Vice-President on several occasions and has been most generous with taking passengers in her car to Palmerston North, and anywhere else and in delivering Christmas gifts to hospitals all through the years. In 1974 Mrs Hunter was still attending the weekly sewing circle.

Mrs JOBLIN

Joined the Red Cross in 1961. In 1966 she replaced Mrs Langbein as Secretary. By this time it had been decided that the positions of president, secretary and treasurer should only be held for two years. Mrs Joblin's chief work was the correspondence in connection with the addition to the original building of the room built for the VAD's,and in connection with the Jubilee celebrations in 1966. Much time had to be expended in looking up past records and in sending out invitations to past members, and in making general arrangements for the day itself. Mrs Joblin held the position until 1968.

Mrs M N KIRKCALDIE

Joined Levin Red Cross in 1945 when living at Ohau, but did not come to meetings until she came to live in Levin. At the 1966 Jubilee received the long service medal for 21 years service. Mrs Kirkcaldie died in February 1980. She has been noted throughout the years for putting her car at the disposal of the Red Cross when transport was needed in Levin or outside. In 1974 she was still an active member and was one of the paper rollers in her own home. She was also active in the Girl Guide movement in her younger years.

Mrs C LANGBEIN

Took office as Secretary in 1959 and by this time the proposed building occupied everybody's thoughts. From the time the site was selected, Mrs Langbein was in the thick of the fray and was able to rejoice at the official opening at her part of the hard work that had gone into its being. On the great day she received a gift and on the card was inscribed "With admiration and appreciation of fellow members of the Red Cross." She was Secretary from 1959 - 1965 and had the most strenuous work of all secretaries.

Mrs F MACDONALD

A foundation member in 1941, who held office many times as Vice-President and attended weekly sewing afternoons.Mrs Macdonald was awarded the long service medal at the 25^th Jubilee celebrations in 1966. Her death occurred in July 1969.

Mrs J E MALCOLM

Has belonged to the Levin Red Cross for some years and in 1967 at the age of 87, was the oldest working member of the Red Cross. Despite her age, she readily agreed to take a place on the Red Cross float. She was seated on a chair and a Junior member read to her from a book depicting the work done for elderly people. Mrs Malcolm was still attending occasionally on sewing days to help in 1974.

Mrs THOMPSON {wife of Dr Thompson)

A foundation member, she was a very active member in the early years and was of great help to Miss Bowen in organising garden parties at her home to provide funds for Red Cross. She devoted herself to getting up entertainments of all kinds and was instrumental in arranging a week of beauty competitions, and for the final day a garden party and evening entertainment on the lawn. The two combined earned the sum of £757, the largest sum of money raised in one day (and a very big amount for the time).

Dr Thompson helped his wife on all occasions and was keenly interested in the Red Cross. The Thompsons later left Thompson House and grounds to the people of Levin to be used for cultural occasions.

Related Items

• Mrs Macdonald at Silver Jubilee 1966