General News
31 October, 2025
Red Cross makes a lot of difference to so many lives
THE Silkwood–Kurrimine Beach Red Cross branch recently welcomed its 2025- 2026 office bearers during an induction ceremony at the Kurrimine Beach Motel.
The meeting was chaired by Cr Trudy Tschui, with special guests including Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood and Cr Ellen Jessop.
Helen Walsh continues in her long-standing role as president, a position she has held for 21 years. Other office bearers, include Lynette Sordelli (patron), Jill Calnan and Barbara Kendall (vice presidents), Barbara Kendall (secretary), Gail Bromell (assistant secretary), Nola Ingram (treasurer), Caryn Coutts (assistant treasurer), Carol Turner and Helen Walsh (trauma teddy coordinators), Jill Calnan (merchandising officer), Barbara Kendall and Maryellen Butler (publicity officers), Dianne Dodson (market convenor), Helen Walsh and Dianne Dodson (hoy coordinators), and Sal Cavey and Maryellen Butler (event coordinators).
During the ceremony, Crs Millwood and Jessop presented the incoming office bearers with their badges. Representatives from neighbouring Red Cross branches in Gordonvale and Tully, along with members of the Silkwood QCWA, Silkwood ambulance, Kurrimine Beach Progress Association, Kurrimine Beach fishing club and local businesses also attended the event.
Over the past 12 months, the branch, which currently has 64 active members, has continued to make a strong contribution to the local community.
Members made trauma teddies and delivered them to the Innisfail hospital, medical centres and local pathology clinics.
The branch secured a Cassowary Coast Regional Council grant of $1800, with $1000 supporting the annual seniors’ lunch and $800 used to purchase a stick vacuum cleaner. In addition, generous community donations have bolstered the group’s efforts, which included $1000 from the Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park’s annual classic car show and $320 from Shane Knuth MP.
This year, the branch donated $5500 to the Townsville Wellness Centre and $2500 to the Cairns Wellness Centre, continuing its long tradition of supporting regional health initiatives.
The group remains active year-round, hosting monthly hoy mornings on the first Wednesday of each month at the Kurrimine Beach motel (9am start, followed by an 11am meeting).
On the second Sunday of each month, members run a stall at the Kurrimine Beach Progress Association markets, selling merchandise, tea, coffee, scones and their popular Red Cross recipe book. The markets run from 7am to noon.
During the meeting, Crs Millwood, Tschui and Jessop presented service awards to several dedicated members:
Outstanding long service awards and medals: Sean Smith (20 years), Sandra Grant (10 years) and Chantra (Sal) Cavey (10 years),
Service award: Jill Calnan (four years),
Certificates of appreciation: Margaret Dineen (Deluxe Trophies), Lynette Magill, Amelia Gibson, Glenda and Ian (Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park), and Merv, Yvonne and the management team at the Kurrimine Beach Motel.
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