Murray Bridge Red Cross volunteers celebrate 110 years of service

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Murray Bridge’s Bob and Dora Eisen have been awarded a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the local Red Cross branch for 110 years of service – not all theirs, of course.

Mrs Eisen first joined in 1992, working at the local Red Cross shop, which has since shut.

Mr Eisen followed in 2000.

“There was a bit of a dispute in the branch at the time so I went home and said, ‘Do you want to be president of the branch?’” Mrs Eisen said.

“I was secretary and he said ‘Nah I don’t even go to the meetings, let alone be president’, but he took the bull by the horns for one year.”

At that time, Mr Eisen said, volunteering generally meant just scouting around and picking up furniture.

“Customers would come in and buy it, I liked that sort of work, you would see all sorts,” he said.

Mr and Mrs Eisen both enjoy volunteering, not for their own benefit but for those in need.

“We know that the money is going where its needed and there’s no discrimination with the Red Cross … they help anybody and everybody, no matter what their situation is,” Mrs Eisen said.

She hoped to keep going with the branch until she no longer could, but was unsure how long it would continue as members got older – “I think there’s only two under 80”.

According to The Mount Barker Courier, the first meeting of ladies who formed the branch, was held at the Murray Bridge Institute Hall on September 3, 1914.

A Mrs F.H. Provis was elected as president and arrangements to knit and make garments for troops were discussed.

The history of the local branch was celebrated during an afternoon function at Murray Bridge RSL on Wednesday.

Keith Wilson, chair of the Red Cross’ South Australian advisory board, said the organisation planned to introduce more regional, community-focused events.

“Murray Bridge is the first venue of many to showcase the types of activity that Red Cross is doing in local communities to support vulnerable groups, people living with health difficulties, elderly, and people at risk of fire and floods,” he said.

“As we celebrate World Red Cross Day today, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the outstanding contributions of Red Cross people here in South Australia and around the world: dedicated staff, volunteers and members who show up every day to support people in need.

“Humanity shines brightest when ordinary people do extraordinary things.”

Zoe Ross, group account manager for Lifeblood SA, said one way the community could help out was by donating blood.

A pop-up donor centre will visit Murray Bridge from May 13-16 at John Dohler Hall, on Swanport Road.

“We will need to collect 390 blood donations during that time,” she said.

“We still have 70 appointments available, so we would love the Murray Bridge community to roll up a sleeve and give the gift of life.”

A blood donation is needed in Australia every 18 seconds to meet patient demands, according to the Red Cross.

• Make an appointment, more information: www.lifeblood.com.au.