Florence Faithfull

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.

Front view of a white apron with red piping. - click to view larger image

Back view of a white apron with red piping. - click to view larger image

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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References

Springfield collection, National Museum of Australia

History of the Red Cross, Australian Red Cross website

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Fundraiser and volunteer

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References