Joseph and Mary Cook at a stone laying ceremony commemorating the 125th anniversary of Government House in Parramatta, Nov 1913. Source: National Archives of Australia http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=3056562
The Australian Red Cross was established in 1914 by Lady Helen Munro Ferguson when she formed a branch of the British Red Cross. The Parramatta branch was formed in early 1915 when a meeting was called in the local newspaper.
Source: The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 6 February 1915, page 12 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/86095924
Many prominent people were involved in organising assistance for the war effort. Mary Cook, wife of Joseph Cook (Prime Minister 1913-1914 and Leader of the Opposition 1914-1917) was very active in the Red Cross and in Cook’s electorate of Parramatta. She was elected President of the Parramatta Red Cross at the inaugral meeting, and continued to be active throughout the war and afterwards.
