In recognition of the inherent research value of the historic records created by the ‘Australian Red Cross Heritage Collection’ (1914-2014), it was determined that the records be transferred to the University of Melbourne Archives (UMA) – who care for historic records.

The University of Melbourne Archives has been actively engaged with the Australian Red Cross Archives to transfer the records of both the Australian Red Cross Society – National Office, and Australian Red Cross Society – Victorian Division which has occurred across three major transfers in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

There are 36 series comprising a variety of records including reports, minutes, administrative correspondence, newsletters, posters, staffing, financial expenditure and photographs.

Each Australian Red Cross series at UMA has a detailed description and item-level finding aid listing (pdf) published on the UMA online catalogue.

The records of the Australian Red Cross are open to all.

Material from the University of Melbourne Archives is accessed through the Reading Room at the Baillieu Library at the University’s Parkville campus. To request UMA material or to find information on the Reading Room location, opening hours, rules about handling material, copying and digitisation of material, please see the Reading Room website.

To request material, researchers must register using the Reading Room Aeon system. This system allows researchers to track the progress of their requests, see the history of their requests and facilitates requesting the same material again. For more information about Aeon, see Requesting Materials.

The Reading Room is open by appointment for two-hour appointments at 11 am and 2 pm. Reading Room staff will be in touch with researchers to advise them on when their materials will be available for use and how to make an appointment.

Australian Red Cross offers a free reference service and may be able to assist in the discovery of records.