By TANIA PHILLIPS
ONE hundred years after the start of the WWI and the founding of the Red Cross, Stanthorpe Museum is set to hold a musical tribute to the Red Cross nurses of that time.
The Granite Belt Choir will perform a song from World War One as part of celebrations to mark the Red Cross anniversary, Australian Red Cross Stanthorpe Branch centenary co-ordinator Mary Rofe said.
“Research for the ‘100 Years of Red Cross’ display has unearthed a WWI songbook which contains a song dedicated to the ‘The Red Cross Nurse’,” she said.
“The music was written by famous author Harriet Beecher Stowe and the lyrics by John Porter.
“The Granite Belt Choir will perform this song as arranged by Mrs Jeanene Chapman their director, as part of the entertainment at the opening of the centenary display and planting of the memorial rose garden at the museum.
“The music for ‘The Red Cross Nurse’ was found among WWI artifacts at the Stanthorpe Museum.
“It is in a songbook with several pieces of music from that era and we have it on display as part of the special ’100 Years of Red Cross’ display set to open on 22 August.”
The Granite Belt Choir, which has 50-60 active members, will perform the song to begin the celebrations.
“They will finish the opening events with a selection of songs which depict Red Cross involvement in Australia’s history over the last century through the Bush Nurses, the Land Army, Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses and auxiliaries as well as in disaster relief and blood collection in recent times,” Mary said.
“The display highlights the guiding principle of the Australian Red Cross, People helping People.”
What: Centenary of Red Cross Stanthorpe Branch
When: 10am, 22 August
Where: Stanthorpe Museum, 12 High Street
