By Karen Poh
THE Keilor Red Cross is in need of new blood.
The branch celebrated 35 years of community service recently, bringing together past and present members and friends of the Keilor Red Cross.
“It was a successful day, and everyone who was there thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” Keilor Red Cross chairman Val Bell said.
“Some of them hadn’t seen each other for quite some time.
“Many stories were related and memories brought to light.”
There were photo albums, newspaper articles and display boards outlining the achievements of the unit.
Services provided include first-aid, home nursing, airport patient escorting, hospital visiting, emergency catering and registration, the mobile blood service and kitchen duties for elderly friendship clubs.
But membership is dwindling at the Keilor Red Cross.
“Numbers have slowed down” Ms Bell said.
“Most of the women (in the unit) are about the same age, within the 60s and 70s.
“So our numbers are reliant mainly on the older generation.”
Ms Bell, who is 70, joined the Keilor Red Cross as a volunteer 30 years ago.
“I thought I’d want to do something community-wise,” she said.
“All my children were in school by then.
“I waited till the youngest one was at school and I wasn’t working, so I didn’t have any responsibilities there and I could devote my time to doing something.
“When we joined, most of us were in our late 30s and 40s.
“But all the 30 and 40-year-old women are working these days,” Ms Bell said.
“We’ve probably got about 20 in our group and about 10 who turn up to meetings.
“And there are a few other people we can call on when we need help for something.”
Ms Bell said the branch wasn’t as active as in earlier days.
“Because numbers are low, and we don’t have the same sort of health, we can’t continue doing these jobs,” she said.
“We really do need more young people to take part in it.”
