Lorne, Victoria, Australia

Nora Crabbe (1901-1987), was the daughter of Thomas Browne and Maude Mary Hatchett, who had the general store, M & T Browne at 144 Mountjoy Parade. At one time she had a newsagent and confectioner store in the Mountjoy Parade. She married George Crabbe in 1942. They had no family. Nora passed away in 1987 after a full life of work and community service being awarded The Order of the British Empire (Civil) in 1980 as well as a Red Cross medal.

Nora Crabbe commenced with Red Cross (aged 13) August 1914. She first worked for the Serbian Red Cross under Miss Ada Beal until the Australian Red Cross was established. Nora was the holder of 20 year medal, 30 year bar, 40 year bar, 50 year Laurel Wreath and 60 year Rosette.

Nora Crabbe’s Red Cross medal, commemorating 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years of service.

During the 1914-18 war, Nora worked with a group of teenage girls who called themselves “The League of Soldier Friends”. With money earned by holding concerts, dances, bazaars, Card parties, etc. They were able to present each man as he came back with a silver watch and chain, a sovereign purse and the colours of his unit attached to the centre of the chain. To any family whose son or sons did not return a wall plaque on which details of his service was inscribed was presented.

Nora assisted in Annual Appeal for funds, both by assisting with Hospital Auxiliary work and township collecting. For several years prior to Nora’s marriage she worked under Mrs H. Hughes to do Girl Guide work. She was a foundation member, and later became a Life Member of Lorne Pre School. Nora for many years collected for the Spastic Society Appeal and the Salvation Army. She was part of the first committee and worked to raise funds to purchase Lorne’s first Ambulance, when the Lorne Ambulance was incorporated into the Geelong and District Ambulance Service.

Over  20 years Nora made many thousands of jars of jam.  All the finished product was donated to various organisations in the township principally Red Cross, Hospital and Hospital Auxiliary, various Churches, Mothers Club Stalls, Pre School fetes, Bowling Club and many smaller causes. Nora was a Foundation Member of the Senior Citizens Club.

Sources:

• Lorne Historical Society Collections
• Rick Browne, 2025