NZ Red Cross Levin Branch

HISTORY OF THE LEVIN RED CROSS - Pt 1: 1941 - 1976

With grateful acknowledgement of the book hand-written by Miss Eileen Atack.

HISTORY OF THE LEVIN RED CROSS 1941 - 1976

Note: Readers of this history and of the biographical notes on members should be aware that well into the 1970's, it was customary to refer to women by their husbands' initials. The women, themselves, were much more formal than today and referred to one another as Mrs so-and-so. Christian names were only used with close friends. Short of a search through the births, deaths and marriages records, it is not possible to give personal Christian names or initials. It is of interest that men at that time called one another by their Christian names, but addressed their friends' wives, even women they knew well, as Mrs so-and-so.

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The Second World War was at its darkest point. Germany had overrun Europe, the Battle of Britain was in full swing, and Greece and Crete had been lost, with many New Zealanders in German prisoner-of-war camps. Much of North Africa had been lost to Rommel's forces.

The people of the Horowhenua were keen to send parcels to the prisoners of war and help in any way they could with the war effort. Mrs Hewitt called a meeting on July 2^nd 1941 to discuss the formation of a Levin branch of the NZ Red Cross, to be a sub-centre of the Palmerston North branch. 50 people were present but their names were not recorded in the first minutes with the exception of the following:election of officers:

Patron - the Mayor, Mr H Phillips

Vice-president -Miss H E Bowen

Secretary - Mrs P D Owen (Miss Bowen & Mrs Owen to act as joint treasurers.)

Executive - Mesdames Hill, Mckenzie and Burdekin, with provision to add to the members.

Miss Bowen signed the minutes as "chairman" and later changed it to "president". She therefore became the 1^st President of the Levin Red Cross, a position she held until 1947.

Later, Mrs Dr Thompson (the wife of Dr Thompson), Mesdames Denton, Lynch, Hall (Waitarere) and Hall (Ihakara) were added to the executive.

Reporting on the first eight months, Miss Bowen said a shop day was held which resulted in sum of over £200 being made.

Patron - the Mayor, Mr H Phillips

Miss Bowen was re-elected President

Two Vice-Presidents - Mesdames E M Ryder and W S Lett.

Secretary/treasurer - Mrs Lynch

Committee: Mesdames E Hall, W Stanley, A Williams, A Edward, Messrs R Mckenzie, H Mudgeway, R Macdonald, F Wilson.

A certificate from the British Red Cross and Order of St John of Jerusalem was received after the War for service during the war years.

From 1941 Red Cross members were busy with the following:

Afternoons for next of kin of the Levin soldiers.

Help given to soldiers' families.

Parcels sent to prisoner of war camps.

Helping returned prisoners of war and the returned POW Association send parcels to the people of Crete.

Parcels to the people of Great Britain.

What is so warming is that all through the minutes there are records of small groups of children holding fund-raising efforts in aid of the work of Red Cross.

Donations poured in from so many directions. This same generosity of time and effort has been noticed at many times of emergency in the following sixty years.

In July 1946, there was a drive for new members.

Miss Bowen was visiting the sick and needy taking gifts.

In 1947 the number of articles of clothing sent to Palmerston North for overseas distribution was 1090.

At the 1947 AGM Miss Bowen announced her retirement as president. The new president elected was Mrs W. Blake.

It was unanimously agreed that all present at this meeting form themselves into a general committee meeting once a month, a position that still exists in 2007 and adds to the interest of all those working for Red Cross.

Notification of the change of trustees was put to the July 1947 meeting. The president and secretary were appointed to act as trustees.

At this time the sewing circle was meeting in an empty shop at a cost of £4 per month.

This picture shows five of the Presidents of Levin Red Cross.

Clockwise from back left: Mrs W Cassels 1965-68, Mrs Gladys Hudson 1957-65, Miss D W Pillar 1968-74, Mrs A W Parton 1951-57, Mrs E Wilson 1948-51.

The 1948 annual meeting saw 60 members at the meeting. Mrs Blake resigned because of her husband's illness and Mrs F Wilson was elected president. Annual accounts showed a credit balance of £171.14.1

Members began helping one afternoon a month at the Levin Hospital Farm, a practice that continued till at least 1968. The branch helped the leper colony with reading material, money and gifts for many years.

In May 1949 the Centre held its first shop day, which was a great success. A second shop day was held in May 1950 the money raised being £113.7.11

In June 1949 a Junior Red Cross was formed in Levin.

By 1951 New Zealand had 32 centres, 450 sub-centres. There were 50,000,000 Junior Red Cross members in the world.

At the 10^th anniversary of the founding of the Levin Red Cross members attended a church parade. Church parades were held each year at a different church. This practice has since been discontinued.

From 1950 for many years, members helped with the sale of health stamps.

At the November meeting a letter was read from the Horowhenua Ex POW Society, which contained the names of 24 members who wished to become members of the Red Cross and enclosed a money order for £3. In December five more ex POWs joined and sent their subs.

In 1951 Mrs Wilson resigned as president to take charge of the sewing circle, a position she still held in 1967, attending every Thursday to sew and mend with her band of busy helpers.

Mrs Parton became president, and Miss Bowen vice-president.

In 1951-52, 1072 garments were sent away and 33 food parcels.

The guest speaker at the AGM, Mrs Hodgkinson, Director -General of Red Cross VADs, asked Levin Red Cross to consider starting first- aid and home nursing lectures.

At the June meeting Mrs Wilson asked for rags and newspapers to be sold to augment the funds. This was the start of a very lucrative fund-raising project. Paper was sold to Carters, who paid by the pound (165 pounds for the 1955 year netting £27.4.6)

Further activities over the following years:

Helping with clothing for the War Veterans Home when it opened and for several years after.

Food parcels were sent to Britain from 1951- 1954.

Clothing to the Pahiatua Polish Refugee camp till it closed.

Food parcels and books for soldiers in Korea.

Sending garments to the following:

Wellington City Mission, Leper colony, Otaki Sanitorium, Wellington City Mission hostel, Harry Squires Home in Wellington.

Over the years the sewing circle and monthly meetings had been held in various shops and buildings. However, in 1954, Mrs Nicholson proposed that a building fund be started and that £200 be transferred from the current account for that purpose. Seconded by Mrs Lett and carried. It was not until 1963 that the present Red Cross rooms could be built, 9 years after that proposal.

In 1956 a peggy square competition was advertised by a wool firm and the 1s entrance was to go to the Red Cross, plus all the peggy squares made, to be sewn into rugs for distribution.

1400 garments had been sent away during the year.

In 1957 Mrs O (Gladys) Hudson was elected president.

The financial balance stood at £908, the building fund stood at £260. In May a further $300 was added to the building fund.

1719 garments were sent to Headquarters and 1653 to the Hungarian refugees. Gurney's Carrying Company had offered to take parcels of clothing to Red Cross Palmerston North free of charge. Clothing continued to be sent to the Wellington City mission, Porirua Hospital and the Leper colony.

Junior Red Cross was flourishing and 40 girls passed home nursing and 40 first-aid. Horowhenua College had a junior Red Cross group.

In October, Captain M S Galloway, Secretary-general of the NZ Red Cross Society, presented a service medal to Miss H E Bowen for 30 years' service to the Society, including 6 years as the founding president of the Levin Red Cross from 1941 - 1947.

In February 1958 the president, Mrs Hudson payed a tribute to Mrs Thornton and her band of paper ladies who collected and rolled the old newspapers. In order to deliver the bundles of paper to the fish shop every Thursday, a trolley was lent to Red Cross and the bundles of paper were slid down the stairs and put on to the borrowed trolley and trundled to the fish shop a few doors away.

As well as all the work done sewing, mending and packing clothes, newspaper-rolling for sale, the members visited the elderly and the Levin sick in Palmerston North hospital.

Members took part in local welfare work of all kinds and helped with pre-Christmas parties. It must be remembered that Red Cross members in those days were in their forties and fifties, did not go out to work and were fit and ready to give their all.

By April 1958, the building fund stood at £572.16.0.

At the 1958 AGM, Miss Wilson reported that 1349 garments were sent to HQ, 240 articles to the City mission, 155 articles to the Leper mission, 230 garments to the Wellington Hungarian refugees, and two cartons of books and toys to Kimberley Hospital.

1958 also saw a start of the afternoons for the blind, which were held three-monthly at various venues round the area. These afternoons continued on for very many years.

In August a wheelchair was donated to the Red Cross. Mr Rippen put the mechanical part in order and Mr Treathy spray-painted it free of charge. A new foam rubber seat costing £2.10 was added and the chair was lent out to invalids.

The 18^th AGM in 1959 showed a credit balance of £971.9.8, the building fund standing at £603.12.0.

A total of £283 was gained selling stamps for the Red Cross Centenary. A total of 20 women worked on the stall for an hour at a time. 1000 first day covers were sold. Schools and the business area were canvassed and advance orders obtained.

In reply to an offer from Levin Red Cross, the manager of the newly opened War Veterans home in Levin asked for help with mending for the men and for members to take them on outings. An invitation was sent asking the blind veterans to attend the blind afternoons.

In 1960 a carton of very good used clothes was sent to the War Veterans home. Mrs Cory said how thankful they were. As clothing was so urgently needed at the home it was decided to give all suitable garments to them for 3 months and then review the position.

Mrs Thornton asked for more help with rolling paper, as sales amounted to 200-300 lbs per week.

Miss Nicol said the public did not realise that the Red Cross was willing to help local people who were in need. Mrs Hudson said the executive committee could not mention names, but spoke of what had been done for a woman who had recently asked for help. Shoes and clothing had been supplied to three schoolboys.

In April 1960 £191 was sent to the Agadir earthquake relief fund and £50 to the World Refugee Fund (HQ)

At the AGM in April 1960, Mrs Hudson reported Red Cross had helped build up a stock of good men's clothing as a reserve for the home.

Miss Wilson's sewing circle report showed that 1636 garments had been sent to HQ, 8 cartons of goods to the City Mission, 126 garments to the Leper mission and 2 cartons of clothing to the District Nurse.

A new member,Miss Atack joined at the AGM.

Three of the earliest members died during the year, Miss Bowen, Mrs Herrick and Mrs Lett.

In May 1960, 5 cartons of clothing and pillows had been sent to a family whose home had been burnt down.

Proposed Building -in 1960, the Council offered the use of a back section accessible by right-of way, where Red Cross could erect a building, but could not let it. They would not own the property. This was turned down as not suitable.

The Junior Pipe Band held a garden party and sent a donation of £20 from the money raised.

Every year the branch had a table and sold health stamps at the Post Office.

In October 1961, £100 was allocated to Headquarters, £50 to disaster relief and £50 to general fund.

At the May 1962 AGM, the sewing circle reported that 1862 garments had been sent to Headquarters, 210 garments to the City Mission, 100 garments and a large quantity of linen to the Leper trust board and 6 layettes to Hong Kong.

The National Women's club started meals on wheels in June 1962 and the Red Cross agreed to help them. Levin Red Cross is still distributing meals in 2007.

THE BUILDING OF THE RED CROSS ROOMS.

By the 1962 Annual General Meeting money had been banked each year into the building fund and, with two recent legacies of £700 from Miss Stevens' estate and £200 from Mrs Barron's estate, the Patron, Mr Wise thought we might make a start and build. Several sites were inspected and finally one in Queen Street East was selected for £585, sewerage, right-of-way and legal expenses being included. A water pipe and the trees to be cut down were to be done before the right-of-way was sealed -this cost £30. Plans were drawn up, including two toilets, as the rooms were to be let on occasions. Two Conray heaters were to be bought to heat the main room - these are still in use in 2007.

By February 1963 things had started to move. The total cost of the building would be £3,048;a second-hand electric stove had been donated; the boys of the KohitereTraining Farm would do the outside work free of charge. Free paint was arranged for by Mr Wise; the timber tanalised free of charge by Mr Harvey, who also offered to lend £1,000 for ten years, which was greatly appreciated. Six members offered £100 cash free of interest. Mr Hudson provided new iron for the side fence; Mr K Douglas provided concrete free of charge and Mr Mark supervised the concreting, also free of charge. Shop days and garden parties brought in more money. Mr Elsdon Clarke offered a kitchen table and power machine; the Lions ran a paper drive raising £110; the Jaycees sold compost for £80 and offers to rent the hall four nights a week were received. Truly the community were right behind the project.

At the AGM, Mrs Hudson stated that the Centre had raised a mortgage of £1,000 at 6% to complete the building. It was all go!

The new building was opened on August 14^th 1963. It was a fine day, so the official opening took place outside. The guests included Captain M S Galloway, retired Secretary-General of the NZ Red Cross Society, the Rev Ihaka, who had been asked to pronounce the dedication, the Mayor & Mayoress, Mr & Mrs Wise, Mr McKegg, president of the Manawatu Centre, and the Dominion Secretary, Mr McLennan. Mrs Hudson presented the Rev Ihaka with a memento of the occasion.

Mrs Hudson was presented with a gift from her fellow members, a framed parchment with the Red Cross insignia and signed by all those who had worked on the hall and an inscription "With love and thanks for all the good work you have done". Mrs Langbein, the secretary, and Mrs Harvey, the treasurer were each presented with a gift.

The building was insured for £3,000 with the State Insurance. Fund-raising to pay off the interest and the loan continued. The RSA donated £20 towards the building. Mrs A Savell on behalf of the Little Theatre offered the takings of the first night of "The Shop On Sly Corner" to the Red Cross. Members helped sell tickets and received £62.13.6 towards the building fund. Mrs Malcolm presented a presidential chair; and a treadle machine and vacuum cleaner were also received.

Mrs Hudson said it would not have been possible to have the grounds in such good order, but for the help of the boys from the Training Centre and their overseers in painting and laying concrete.

By December 1963 the building fund stood at £135, the general fund at £309 and the amount owing on the new rooms £930.

The building was finally declared debt free in February 1965.

In October 1963, the Red Cross prayer was said at the monthly meeting for the first time.

"Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as Thou deservest;

To give and not to count the cost;

To fight and not to heed the wounds;

To toil and not to seek for rest;

To labour and not to ask for any reward

Save that of knowing that we do Thy will. Amen."

The branch was still sending clothes to Palmerston North; volunteers to Kimberley Hospital; clothes to the City mission and lepers; holding quarterly Blind afternoons; delivering meals on wheels and holding street days.

1963 also saw the start of Civil Defence and Red Cross involvement as an emergency refugee rest centre, with reserve clothing and emergency housing. Dr Neale had arranged to take three first- aid classes on Tuesdays.

A Miss Stevens bequeathed her house to the Red Cross. This was sold and realised £964. The late Professor Wilson left £100 to the Sub-centre, which was used to seal the section and make it permanently tidy.

1964 the sewing circle sent 3,345 garments to HQ and 8 cartons of goods to the City Mission, 2 cartons of clothing and linen to the Leper Trust Board and blankets to a distressed family.

1965 saw the inauguration of National Red Cross week.

In December 1965 Headquarters said they could no longer afford to freight clothing overseas. Money would be sent and clothing bought locally.

What would become of the sewing circle?

It was decided to send clothing to the Convent of the Good Shepherd, Te Horo. Also, as goods for the leper stations travel by train at half-price, we could send clothing to Auckland for onward distribution. Clothing continued to be sent to wherever in NZ it was needed.

The Samoan hurricane fund received a donation of £25.

THE SILVER JUBILEE OF LEVIN RED CROSS.

The 25th year Jubilee in 1966 was celebrated by the presentation of long service awards to 14 members who had service of 20 years and over. (for the names of the recipients in the picture to the left, see the attached images at the bottom of the page).

The most outstanding service of 52 years of Mrs F Wilson was described by the National President, Mr E Button as "something terrific" and probably a record. "But, unfortunately, we haven't an award for 52 years service" he confessed. The Levin Sub-centre, however, conferred a Life membership on Mrs Wilson. The membership at this time was 194.

Our flag was dedicated by the Rev Ihaka. .

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

The Voluntary Aid Division was started in March 1966 under the leadership of a Miss Sharp. 35 trainees enrolled. (for names of members in picture, look at attached images).

Another member Mrs Sharp organised the establishment of Junior Red Cross groups. The Junior Red Cross at Fairfield School reached a number of 60.

A consignment of 6 tea chests of clothing valued at £200 was sent to Korea.

In March 1967 it was decided for Red Cross week to have a door-to-door collection instead of a street day, £706 being collected in all.

In May 1967 Mr Pope made the outside bin from an old piano case costing 7/6 for people to drop in clothes. In 2007 it is now 40 years old - after many repairs and a new floor, we wonder how long it will last?

Annex to Main Building

It was found advisable to build an annex to the existing building so that the Volunteer Aid Division may have their own quarters. £1,500 was allocated from Golden Kiwi funds and the addition was to be built on land that had been recently purchased. The tender from Messrs Elliott & Walker for £2,159 was accepted and the building started. Mr Hudson painted the outside while the VADs did the inside. Mr Elsdon Clarke, Mr Wise and Mr Hanlon completed fencing the property. The addition was opened on July 9^th 1968.

Mrs Benseman, secretary of the VAD, outlined the work of the Division and thanked the Sub-centre for the room. A locker was built along one wall, half of which was to be used to store all civil defence necessities, the other half for VAD use. VAD uniforms were being made for 12 senior members which completed all their requirements.

At the AGM in March 1968, Mrs Wilson stated that 2500 garments had been distributed that year. They were sent to Vietnam, to Corso, the War Vets home, City Mission, Salvation Army.

The geriatric hospital received clothing, knee rugs, shoulder wraps, mittens, bags for soiled linen, flower vases, fruit and other items. The Junior Red Cross of Fairfield School presented two transistor radios and flower vases to the geriatric hospital.

A wheelchair was bought for £35 to be let for a small rental, with Red Cross members having priority.

Arrangements were made by Mrs Cassels for the visit of the mobile cancer unit to Levin. Red Cross receptionists were supplied for the mobile unit. The rooms were also used for the blood banks, members supplying cups of tea for the blood donors.

In May 1968 assistance was given to a family who had lost their home by fire and in June money was spent on helping some local survivors from the Wahine disaster.

In February 1969 Mrs Benseman spoke on the stay of the VADs at the Boy Scout Jamboree camp held in Kaiapoi in January and how much they had enjoyed their week among the scouts from different countries.

In June 1969 the Levin Rotary Club, the Jaycees,HD Club (Ohau) gave donations towards the $91 for the purchase of "Mrs Chase" a manikin for VAD and St John use. A set of anatomical charts was also purchased. In 1970 the members helped with two blood banks; training and examining for Duke of Edinburgh awards; Cubs, Brownies and Junior Red Cross; and did duty all the winter at schoolboy rugby; at the Pony Club; the Skating Club's speed day and the North School gala day.

In September following a request from Kimberley Hospital for a supply of feeders, 100 were made and more promised as needed.

Visits were made to the geriatric hospital every six weeks.

The 30^th Annual General Meeting in 1971 showed donations of $1015.00 given to HQ for:

Sick & Wounded fund $500.00

South Pacific project$ 250.00

Vietnam fund $250.00

Relief & Distress fund $500.00

Leper fund $15.00

With the re-organisation of Civil Defence, the rooms became headquarters for a medical unit and rest centre.

In 1970 the VAD personnel numbered 21 active and 5 reserve members, a nursing advisor and 16 trained nurses. The President reported at the 1971 AGM that:

"We are extremely proud of our VADs. Under their Commandant, Mrs C Bensemann, they have had a very busy and successful year. Each Saturday morning from April to August they man the football fields for primary schoolboy rugby; were on duty throughout the quadrangular rugby tournament for primary schools held in the August holidays; assisted with the blood bank in Levin; trained the Horowhenua College pupils in first-aid for the Duke of Edinburgh Award; trained and examined Scouts for their first-aid badge, helped with the Wood Badge at Tatum Park and were on duty on Founder's day at the Scout and Guide functions. Some of the VADs are active with Junior Red Cross circles and formed a first-aid group at the Hokio Beach school. They have demonstrated the use of the ambumanikin to several groups and are on duty at the Pony Club rallies. They regularly attend social club at the Kimberley Hospital and give beauty care to the older girls.

Elementary and advanced first-aid classes, plus elementary and advanced home nursing classes have been held."

Early in 1972 a surprise party was held for Mrs E A Wilson, foundation member and long-time convenor of the sewing circle, to celebrate her 90th birthday. She was also awarded a Life Membership Badge for her 58 years service to the N Z Red Cross.

Mrs Wilson is the left of three members in the middle back.

At the 31^st AGM held in March 1972, the President reported that over 60 members attended the annual church parade. The annual house-to-house appeal netted $1490, used newspapers $360 and shop day brought in $735.

Donations given to Headquarters were $2000 for overseas relief, Leper trust fund $15 and RCY $44.50. 5834 garments went to Wellington and overseas. For local aid - 24 cartons of clothing, bedding, linen, crockery and some furniture. To War Veterans home - men's clothing. To Levin Training centre - feeders.

Welfare covered taking afternoon tea to patients in Horowhenua Hospital;a library exchange service for patients; visiting shut-ins, organising Christmas cheer.

At the 32^nd AGM in 1973 the President reported that the Levin Sub-centre would in future be the Horowhenua Centre covering Levin and Foxton with 172 financial members, 3 of whom are life members. The subscription is only 50c.

She stated: "In the last few years the outlook of Red Cross, both internationally and nationally, has changed and now the Society is prepared to act immediately in any disaster. With the tremendous development in communications, this entails a different approach. At the present time, National Headquarters has 2 men ready to leave immediately for any disaster spot. When the hurricane struck Fiji, Mr McKerrow, who was acting at that time as a ranger at Mt Cook, left New Zealand within 4 hours. He was able to assess the situation, report to HQ, who were then able to act promptly and efficiently. This means that money is now the most useful medium for Red Cross work. Good clothes are still needed, but these are used for local needs."

During the year the Volunteer Aid Division, as well as its previous commitments, gave demonstrations in resuscitation at Kimberley hospital, the Convent, North & Taitoko schools. Members assisted at the Civil Defence exercise in November.

At the 33^rd AGM in 1974 it was reported that $2,738 had been raised from the annual appeal.

Money forwarded to Headquarters $1,231.90

Medical team Vietnam $500.00

Disaster relief overseas$ 500.00

Nz Disaster Relief Teams $500.00

Total $2,731.90

In 1975 the Rev Lyndon Usmar, the President of the branch died and left a bequest of $200 to be invested to provide Christmas cheer for residents of Reevedon home. This has carried on every Christmas since, but because of inflation cost is now met from branch Welfare funds.

In April 1975, the membership stood at 220.

By the 35^th AGM in 1976 it was reported to that the membership had reached 300. Mrs Gregory, Vice-president, said they were always anxious to find new members and newcomers to Levin are especially welcomed. Several people do Red Cross work in their homes and we are always very grateful for the articles they contribute.

Health and welfare. Sister Jane Evans was in charge of all the work involved. Doctors Ames, Mole, Hull and Bolitho gave up valuable time to lecture the various groups - without their professional assistance the classes could not have been held. In July first aid and home nursing certificates were presented to 75 candidates. Mrs J Evans is retiring, but a trained nurse, Mrs J Gilston, has come forward and she will organise the health and welfare section.

Mesdames Medhurst and Beckett have demonstrated mouth-to-mouth breathing with the ambumanikin at schools in the district. Mr Beckett is a tireless worker, organises the winter roster for morning football and is present at all pony club fixtures and paraplegic games.

Two teams travelled to St Johns Napier open competition and came home with a cup.

The Red Cross cadets aged 10-16 have been split into groups and have blue-green uniforms and look very trim. During the year they have been patients for civil defence, attended public duties with senior members, have continued first-aid and home nursing training and passed in mothercraft examinations.They also did handicrafts to be sold to raise money so that the team could attend the competition held in Auckland - they raised all the money themselves and came third in the competition.

Men's division. The members are designated trained volunteers, many gaining honours in first-aid, home nursing and written, oral and practical work, obtaining 80% of possible marks.In the ambulance training they have done outstanding work and have assisted St Johns in first -aid duties at car trials and other fixtures during the winter.

Paper ladies. These ladies work on Tuesday mornings, sorting and folding newspaper into 10lb lots to go to the shops.

For a more complete account of this very interesting report, see the 1976 AGM report held in the Levin Red Cross rooms. Come along on a Thursday and we will be only to happy to produce it.

Photo of the presentation of 20 and 30 year Service Awards on 21st September 1976. For details of members present, view image below in 'Attached Images.'

To contact Red Cross Levin:

June Henderson, phone 06 368 7582.

E-mail address: naomi.dement@ paradise.net.nz.