The formation of the Australian Red Cross was a result of Great Britain declaring war on Germany on the 4 August 1914.
Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, the wife of the Australian Governor General, had been a member of the British Red Cross Society in Fyfe Scotland, and was eager to form an Australian branch as she had some experience and knowledge of the role the Red Cross could play during war time.
On the 13 August 1914, the Australian branch was formed at a meeting at Government House, Melbourne. Lady Ferguson, invited and encouraged the wives of the State Governors to form state committees as well serving on the national committee.
Fundraising efforts were an important part of the Red Cross's work as they supplied comfort goods to the Australian sick and wounded soldiers. Some of the fundraising efforts employed included the publication of sheet music, booklets such as The Red Cross and Belgium fetebook, donations, concerts and badge days.

Holmes, Robyn. The collector's book of sheet music covers, Canberra : National Library of Australia, 2001

Stubbings, L. G. Look what you started Henry! : a history of the Australian Red Cross 1914-1991, East Melbourne : Australian Red Cross Society, 1992

Minogue, Noreen. The Red Cross 1914-1975 : years of change, [Melbourne : Australian Red Cross Society, 1976?]

The Red Cross and Belgium fete book, Adelaide : [s.n.], 1915 (Adelaide : The S. A. Master Printers and Allied Trades Association)

Australian Red Cross : see About Us

International Committee of the Red Cross : go to English : About the ICRC

Australian War Memorial : see Quick Links : Encylopedia : R for Red Cross

Treasures of the State Library : go to Treasures of the State Library, scroll down to ANZAC Commemorative Medal