APPEAL TO GIRLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20526, 9 April 1941, Page 6

APPEAL TO GIRLS

V.A.D. MOVEMENT TRAINING FACILITIES N.Z. DIRECTOR’S VISIT Enthusiasm was the keynote at a meeting held in the Red Cross rooms at the Gisborne Central School last evening, when there was an attendance of between 70 and 80 to listen to an address by Miss E. P. Tennent, honorary director of Voluntary aid for the New Zealand Reel Cross Society. Those present, included members of the men’s and women's divisions of the Red Cross Society, V.A.Ds., transport drivers’ division. Women’s Mounted Ambulance, and St. John Ambulance Association. Dr. Theo. Hall, divisional surgeon of the Gisborne centre of the Red Cross Society. presided. Miss Tennent, after tracing the origin and progress of the Red Cross Society, dealt with the work open to girls at the present time to do their part in the cause of the Empire. The young men of the Dominion had responded nobly; they had given up their ambitions and their comfort, had parted from their loved ones and all that one held dear, and were risking their lives to support the cause oi freedom. Surely the girls of this Dominion should play their part. Very many, of course, were doing so. Nearly (100 nurses were away with the troops up to the present. Already sick and wounded men from camps and overseas were in the Hamner hospital, and others were drifting back. Hospital Duties In Camps All the military camps and aerodromes in the Dominion iiad hospitals, large or small, attached to them. These hospitals were at present staffed by a few nurses and men orderlies. Sooner or later, however, the men orderlies would be called into' more important werk, and they must be replaced by V.A.Ds.

The speaker urged those present to continue with their studies in first aid, home nursing, sanitation and hygiene, and other subjects, and also to persuade as many of their friends as possible to join the classes. There might be strenuous days ahead, and fullyqualified V.A.Ds would be in great demand.

Miss Tennent then explained in detail the work of the V.A.D. movement, and gave particulars as to uniform, duties, and so on.

At the conclusion of a most interesting address Miss Tennent was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. After questions had been answered, suppe; was served and the visitor was con tinually surrounded by throngs of eager girls and women anxious to gather information concerning - the V.A.D. movement, which should receive a great impetus through her visit.

Miss Tennent left to-day for Wairoa in continuation of her tour.