Centenary of International Red CrossPrint Page

Plaques on granite obelisk commemorate the centenary of the foundation of International Red Cross in 1859 and the centenary of the foundation of the Castlemaine Branch of the Australian Red Cross in 2014. At the side of the obelisk is a centenary Red Rose planted on the 17th August 2014 to commemorate the Castlemaine centenary. 

It was on June 24th 1859 on the battle field of Solferino in Northern Italy that the idea of Red Cross was conceived by Henry Dunant, a Swiss citizen, who witnessed the battle which took place between the forces of France and Italy on the one hand and Austria on the other. He was so appalled and horrified at man's inhumanity to man that he dedicated his life to an ideal that there should be adequate medical care for the wounded and sick in battle and protection for those engaged in giving them care. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operates in over 80 countries worldwide. The extensive network of missions and delegations of the ICRC can relieve Nations that are affected by armed conflicts and other sources of violence.

The Australian organisation was established in 1914, nine days after the starting of World War One, by Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, when she formed a branch of the British Red Cross, which is a branch of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Lady Helen wrote to the mayors of every shire and municipality in Australia asking them to initiate a local branch. Typically, a letter was published in the local newspaper and a meeting called. 

Location

Address:	36 Mostyn Street, RSL Hall, Castlemaine, 3450
State:	VIC
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -37.065905 Long: 144.217721 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Plaque
Monument Theme:	Culture
Sub-Theme:	Community

Dedication

Source: MA