Cairns answers call

By LEUT Donna Ellem

COS Aviation, CAPT Tim Barrett presents CMDR Keith Engelsman with his certificate. Photo by LSPHBrad Fullerton

When the Red Cross Blood Bank came a knocking, HMAS Cairns was there to answer the cry.

With the recent Dengue Fever Epidemic subsiding, the Red Cross Blood Bank has been able to return to Cairns for the first time since the outbreak, and HMAS Cairns became their first port of call.

The Bank has had to rely on sources outside Cairns for months and with a shortage of certain blood types, they were happy to return.

The van normally visits the base every three months and there is always a line up waiting to donate, but having seen the snacks that the auxiliary ladies provide to members after they have donated, an ulterior motive is suspected.

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