Kampuchean Crisis In late 79 Australian actor Leonard Teale became key in promoting the Kampuchean Appeal. He visited the region and returned to tell a devastating story. This personal account inspired the public at large who once again demonstrated great compassion by contacting Red Cross offices around the country in huge numbers to donate to the appeal. In 1987 the NSW international project for that year was known as the ‘hospital of hope’ and involved the renovation and refurbishment of a large hospital in south Kampuchea. Funds donated came from the Australian government of the day and from other donors supporting the international project campaign.

Regional Centres Expansion of regional services continued well into the 80s. Lismore on the Far North Coast became a centre for operations. Campbelltown then Penrith were to follow in response to the burgeoning borders of Sydney’s western suburbs. Red Cross would divide the state into eight operating regions, including Sydney metro. The Voluntary Aid Detachment (now renamed the Voluntary Aid Service Corps) also made moves in the 80s to increase it detachments through regional NSW and outer suburban Sydney. Traditional VA roles such as working in country blood banks, meeting refugees at airports and assisting in hospitals continued. The corps also experienced an increase in demand for it services at sports and other cultural community events.