The week long centenary celebration will then conclude with a traditional cake and produce stall next Friday, August 14, commencing at 10am. Both of these events will be located at Shop 108 in Main Street.

Part of the world's largest humanitarian movement, Red Cross has been woven into the fabric of Australian life for more than 100 years - whether it's the immediate response to natural disasters, the blood service, first aid programs or the everyday work to help vulnerable people.

The organisation started as the Australian Branch of the British Red Cross Society on August 13, 1914 at Government House in Melbourne. This was nine days after the outbreak of World War I.

Hundreds of thousands of volunteers signed up during WWI and by WWII, Red Cross had become Australia's largest charitable organisation.

From a population of seven million, nearly half a million were Red Cross members, most of them women.

Today, one million Red Cross members, volunteers, donors, staff, blood donors and supporters make a positive difference to the lives of people every day.

In Stawell, the Red Cross was established in 1914, continuing until 1920, when it went into recess. It recommenced in 1939 and has continued through to today.

Stawell currently has an active branch of 13 people, who are both Red Cross members, whose main function is fund raising, and volunteers, who respond to emergencies and natural disasters.

President, Geraldine Monaghan, said the Red Cross Stawell branch was very grateful to the people and businesses of Stawell and the many generations of Stawell residents who have made it possible for them to do this work.

"We will continue to need this support through the next 100 years and beyond," Mrs Monaghan said.

Stawell and district residents are urged to join in the events next week, as communities celebrate this great Australian story.