It was once the oldest standing arm of the Australian Red Cross, but the Parramatta
branch has now been homeless for six years.
For 81 years the Parramatta branch served the greater community of Parramatta, 75 years of which the branch’s principal activity was to provide a ‘haven’ for locals, at its staffed tea room.
The tea room was once a place where there was always a hot pot of tea, sandwiches, friendly faces and support but it was brought to an end in 2015 when the then Parramatta City Council demolished the old Council chambers building in which it operated from.
Since then, President of the branch, John Glass, fought for the group to be relocated, yet to this day remains unsuccessful.
“The tea room was the auspices of the Australian Red Cross and was our branch’s primary activity,” Mr Glass said.
“The tea room commenced in Macquarie Street in 1940 and in 1956 it moved into the old Council chambers.
“We had hoped to continue the branch’s activities in another suitable location, courtesy of
Parramatta Council in replacement of the demolished venue, but much time has been wasted now.
“At the time it was the oldest branch in Australia.”
The branch have since occasionally met at cafes and the Parramatta RSL Club, however
had to be deemed ‘in recess’ by the Red Cross due to its issues securing a location.
Mr Glass is now calling on the City of Parramatta Council to reserve a space in the new
chambers, currently under construction, to see the tea room resurrected.
The $130 million 5 Parramatta Square development will be the City of Parramatta’s new headquarters. Once completed, it will house Council’s new chambers as well as a library, community hall and spaces.
The building is expected to be completed by April 2022.
“Council values and supports the many services provided to the community by the Red Cross,” a City of Parramatta spokesperson said.
“Parramatta Hive (Phive), the new cultural, civic and community building located at 5 Parramatta Square, has been designed to offer many flexible community spaces that are
accessible for all members of the public and, as a result, will not be available for exclusive use by any one organisation.
“City of Parramatta Council’s 19 community facilities have been, and will continue to be, available for use by the Red Cross, along with other community groups, to continue their valuable work.”
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.