The Red Cross Parkes Branch recently celebrated a significant milestone of the charity here in Parkes.

Parkes Red Cross has been there to support the community in times of need for the past 110 years.

In recent times the Red Cross has been there at scenes of disaster in our local communities including Forbes, Eugowra and Condobolin.

The Red Cross also focuses on integrating migrants into Australian society and looking to the needs of our First Nations people.

"Today we remember the thousands of hours of service by our comrades in charity for the Red Cross throughout the last 110 years," Parkes Red Cross President Alison Dixon said.

Alison shared the history of the Australian Red Cross with those who attended the 110 year morning celebration.

"When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, Australia too went to war.

"On August 13, nine days after the outbreak of World War 1, Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson, wife of our sixth Governor General, formed a Branch of the British Red Cross at Government House in Melbourne."

Today we remember the thousands of hours of service by our comrades in charity for the Red Cross throughout the last 110 years.

Parkes Red Cross President Alison Dixon

Telegrams were then sent immediately to the wives of the State Governors inviting them to establish the Red Cross Society in each of their states.

"The Parkes community acted quickly to the call and formed the Parkes Red Cross Branch in August 1914."

Within weeks of the outbreak of World War l, the Australian Red Cross were assisting in the production of comfort parcels for soldiers and the Australia Red Cross soon became a household name around the country.

During Alison's research of Red Cross for the 110 year celebration she discovered that one million socks were knitted in World War l with each pair averaging 10 hours to make and in World War ll over three million socks were knitted.

Here in Parkes, the Red Cross have six dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to raise funds.

The Parkes Red Cross also hire out their rooms for community groups and provide morning tea and refreshments on Fridays.

There was a display of the history of Parkes Red Cross for all to view at the 110 year celebration and President Alison Dixon sent a big thank you to all of Parkes Red Cross' wonderful supporters, valued patrons and contributors.

"We dedicate this milestone to people we have stood beside through cries, and everyone who continues to make our important work possible- today and tomorrow.

"Together, we will continue to be there in times of disaster, to promote respect for the laws of war, to treat every human with dignity, and remain a constant for people in need across Australia and through our global movement."

Parkes Red Cross is located at 29-31 Church Street, Parkes.