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Fundraiser and volunteer

Portrait of an elderly woman under an umbrella in her garden. - click to view larger image
Florence Faithfull, 1918

During the war Florence Faithfull was president of the Goulburn, New South Wales, branch of the Red Cross Society.

The unmarried daughter of a prominent local family who owned the Springfield merino stud, Faithfull had long been a strong supporter of the local community.

In 1914 alone, she donated £50 to the Patriotic Fund, £10 to the Regimental Comforts Fund, and gave items of children’s clothing to the Belgian Relief Fund. During the war, people contributed nearly £13.5 million to the different comfort funds.

Across Australia, women echoed Miss Faithfull’s efforts, knitting socks and mittens for soldiers and organising fundraising events. They took to the task with a patriotic fervour.

Slideshow

Florence Faithfull wore this apron while fundraising for the Red Cross. One of her initiatives was to sell produce from Springfield, the family property, at a stall in Goulburn. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by James Maple-Brown, Diana Boyd and Pamela Maple-Brown National Museum of Australia. National Museum of Australia

Florence Faithfull wore this apron while fundraising for the Red Cross. One of her initiatives was to sell produce from Springfield, the family property, at a stall in Goulburn. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by James Maple-Brown, Diana Boyd and Pamela Maple-Brown National Museum of Australia. National Museum of Australia

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