The Australian Women's Register

Shortly before World War II, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service was extended by the formation of an Emergency Transfusion Service, used by the Australian Imperial Forces and Royal Australian Air Force and the State Emergency Council. In 1941, the Australian Red Cross Society organised a National Transfusion Service for military and civil defence, based on the Victorian model. Since the mid-1950s, Australian governments have reimbursed the Australian Red Cross society for over 90% of its spending on blood transfusion with the remainder coming from Red Cross appeals and donations when possible. This infusion of government funds led to the establishment of a Suburban Mobile Unit, a Branch at the Royal Women’s Hospital and a chain of Regional Blood Banks throughout Victoria. By the mid-1960s, the National Blood Transfusion service extended to every part of the Australian Commonwealth. In 1996, its management structure changed, and it has been known as the Australian Red Cross Blood Service since. In 2004, it exists as a largely independent operating division of the Australian Red Cross with its own Board of Management and a Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Board. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is the sole agency in Australia to collect blood from voluntary donors, provide quality blood products to hospitals and other health institutions for the benefit of the community. The work of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service is linked to the Australian Red Cross mission of protecting life and health.