Singleton Red Cross members Betty Knight and Susan Ginns received Outstanding Service Awards for their contribution to the Red Cross on Friday May 3 at Customs House in Sydney.
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The pair were nominated by their fellow branch members and were both ecstatic, yet humble with the news they had won an award.
Susan joined the Red Cross Singleton Branch following her retirement in 1995 from Singleton High School where she was head of the Home Science Department. Prior to her membership, Susan volunteered her time and expertise by having her students exhibiting their work at fundraising functions for Red Cross.
Susan's ability and expertise in all areas as Events Coordinator has made Singleton Red Cross well respected and well known in the Singleton Community. "I have been a member of Red Cross for nearly a quarter of a century and during that time I have had the unique opportunity to exercise my creativity in designing, planning and organising three major productions in Singleton" says Susan.
The branch celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2014 and this occupied Susan for eighteen months. It was an outstanding event with 240 people in attendance, including Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove Patron of Australian Red Cross. "One Hundred Years of Australian Red Cross' was held in the NAA Pavilion in 2014 and featured eight detailed displays of the work of the Red Cross spanning the 100 years" she says.
An event is held over two days in March in a local garden for Red Cross Calling. Susan as Event Coordinator works for months prior to the event. It is always very well attended and raised over $7000 each year.
The commemoration of the centenary of the end of WW1 held in 2018 was an outstanding success with 110 people attended including Major Timothy Butcher, MP for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon, Mayor of Singleton Sue Moore and many other dignitaries. Again, Susan committed to another outstanding successful event.
"I must extend a heart felt 'thank you' for the support, given by the residents of Singleton and surrounding areas, of all the other fundraisers including the annual, official Red Cross Calling in March, and Big Cake Bake in October." Susan tells us. "We would not have been able to raise the funds needed for the Red Cross's on-going disaster relief activities without Singleton's generosity," she added.
Betty Knight joined the Australian Red Cross Singleton Branch in July 1997 (22 years ago) and received a NSW Service Award in 2006. She is always ready to assist in every situation whether it is selling raffle tickets, supplying raffle prizes or cooking for a fundraising event.
The Singleton Branch caters for many clearing out sales. Betty organises the BBQ, sandwiches and, cakes and slices as well as cold drinks, tea and coffee. All of this is achieved to a very high standard.
"I love to cook, it is a great passion of mine," says Betty. "However I would not have been able to achieve everything I have done with out the help of everyone in the branch" she adds.
At the annual Red Cross calling event Betty organises a cake stall and supplies plants for the annual .This annual fundraiser has occurred for the past ten years.
Betty has been a greatly valued member of the Emergency Service Team and her recent retirement was a great loss to the organisation after such an incredible period of service.
Singleton Branch commemorated the 100 years since the end of WW1 in November 2018 by holding a special Cake Bake, all of which was organised by Betty.
"I have been in the Red Cross nearly 22 years and this award means a great deal to me, it means the world" says Betty.
