JUNIOR RED CROSS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25457, 11 February 1944, Page 5

JUNIOR RED CROSS

FORMATION IN NORTH OTAGO A meeting was held in the Oamaru Borough Council Chambers on Wednesday night, when an address was given by Miss L. G. Small, Director of Junior Red Cross for New Zealand, on the formation of a Junior Red Cross branch in Nor.h Otago. . Miss K. Copland, a former mistress at the Waitaki Boys’ High School and of the Oamaru North School, was appointed district organiser. , ~ In her talk Miss Small said that the Junior Red Cross aims were “ Health, happiness, and international friendliness, with the motto “We serve.” A health promotion syllabus was available for school children, including a set of six striking health posters. A book on first aid was supplied for use in primary and secondary schools. Civic education was undertaken among the children, and they formed their own school committees, appointed a chairman and secretary, and held regular meetings. Children were encouragsd to write and perform health playettes in the schools. They were also encouraged to make their own health posters, of which there was a display in Oamaru last week. At present there were over 800 circles, comprising over 30,000 members, in New Zealand. A quarterly magazine was issued containing reports from all the circles, and items of educational value.

Before a branch was started, said Miss Small, the Education and Health Departments were consulted, and in every case they had proved most helpful. The district organiser operated in conjunction with a special committee consisting of representatives of the primary and secondary schools. Girl Guides. Boy Scouts, and Education and Health Departments. The formation of this committee in Oamaru was the next step, and would be dealt with very shortly. The Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) proposed a vote of thanks to Miss Small for her instructive talk, expressing himself as being surprised and pleased to learn of the ramifications of the movement.