By KATH GANNAWAY
HODDLES Creek Red Cross Unit member Florence Peters has wonderful stories to tell of her involvement with the unit.
As an inaugural member of the unit that was formed in 1969, she has no doubt about the good the unit has achieved, both locally and internationally, over more than 45 years.
Numbers have gone up and down over the years, and now is one of those times when they need some help.
A lot of the members are getting up in years, and some fresh, young blood would ensure the unit is able to continue its work.
“We only had about nine people to start with, but we built it up and have been involved in providing help to people in need, as well as helping out at disasters, including bushfires,” Florence said.
“When the firemen would come in from the fires, we used to pull their socks off for them and give them fresh clothing.
“I think we would have made a hundred million sandwiches to feed them over the years.”
Unit member Connie Grogan said the role of the Hoddles Creek unit was mostly fund-raising now to support Red Cross projects here and overseas.
Recent fund-raising stalls have aided Nepal and Vanuatu.
“Young is 60, these days,” said Connie of the unit’s efforts to recruit new members.
“Some people don’t like attending meetings, and we’re happy if they can just help put up a tent or bake a cake,” she said.
“We have regular customers who come especially to our Launch Fresh stall each month to get home-baked cakes and other home-made items, and we find that people welcome to opportunity to support us because we are the Red Cross.”
Hoddles Creek Red Cross holds a regular stall at Launch Fresh on the corner of Warburton Highway and Gembrook Road in Launching Place on the first Saturday of each month.
Meetings are on the first Monday of each month at Yarra Junction. Phone Connie on 5961 5530 or Ian Agnew on 5961 5995 for more information.
