The Australian Women's Register

In many ways the predecessor of International Tracing and Refugee Services, the Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau was established in 1915. Founded by the Australian Red Cross Commissioners, Vera Deakin and Winifred Johnstone, the Bureau helped trace wounded and missing men, and informally started a hospital visiting service. After World War II the service connected people who had lost touch with relatives and friends, supporting State Divisions, whose workers met and accompanied new migrants, provided assistance, and produced phrase books. As an Enquiry, Tracing and Message service, the Australian Red Cross extended to link refugees with their families and register evacuees, under the Disaster Services Department from 1975. In the 1990s, the Asylum Seekers’ Assistance Scheme continued this service and the Tracing and Refugees’ Department expanded as a core Red Cross service. In Strategy 2005, the Australian Red Cross re-committed to the Tracing and Message Service and aimed to enhance the delivery of humanitarian services to asylum seekers, refugees and other people in crisis. In 2004, these activities were covered by the International Tracing and Refugee Services, the Immigration Detention Program and the Asylum Seekers’ Assistance Scheme. This Scheme is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, and administered by the Australian Red Cross.