When Devenish’s Pat Mitchell put her hand up to volunteer with the Red Cross blood bank back in the 1970s, the last thing she considered was being honoured for her work half a century later.
However at the end of May this year she found herself at Government House in Melbourne receiving a medal for 50 years of service.
“I started at the blood bank in Benalla after I left school, and was there until it stopped,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We’d sit beside the bed with patients as the doctor set it all up.
“Then you’d be in charge of monitoring it all, I did that for about 20 years.
“It used to be at (the) CWA hall when I started, but it then went to various other places.”
Ms Mitchell would continue her voluntary service with Red Cross in various positions.
She was involved with Red Cross when it assisted emergency services with things like bushfires and floods.
“Red Cross had a meeting place (for people evacuated from an area) and we would be at the desk taking people’s names and where they lived.
“We’d take their details, gave them afternoon tea and find out if they had a place to stay.”
Ms Mitchell said it was a bit of a surprise when Red Cross got in contact about the 50 years of service medal.
"We have a Red Cross group here, and along the way you get your 20-year, 30-year and 40-year things,“ she said.
“So we got together with our little group and went to Government House.
“The medal was presented (on behalf of) the governor-general by her husband (Mr Anthony Howard AM KC).
“He is involved in the Red Cross and is the one who presents the medals.”
Ms Mitchell said it was a great day and included a morning tea after the presentation.
“It was very nice to have a look around Government House as well,” she said.