Alice Ishbel Hay Creswick (1889-1973), Red Cross commandant and kindergarten administrator. After the death of her husband she joined the executive of the Free Kindergarten Union and became president in 1939. A capable and forceful leader, Mrs Creswick was diverted from her activities with the F.K.U. in 1940 when the Australian Red Cross Society asked her to be its principal commandant. She visited Britain and Europe where she conferred with the International Red Cross about arrangements for Australian prisoners of war, and for the sick and wounded. When she resigned from her position in 1946, the national Red Cross paid tribute to her 'skill in choosing and inspiring the women who served in Field Force'. Mrs Creswick continued her whole-hearted involvement with the Red Cross as vice-chairman (1946-49) of the national council and national executive, as honorary life member (from 1949) and as a member of the national council to 1959. She represented the Australian Red Cross at conferences in Stockholm (1948) and Oslo (1954). She persistently lobbied the State government for greater support for pre-school training and succeeded in setting the union's finances on a sound basis. In 1947 she gained State government help for the extension of buildings and facilities at the Kindergarten Training College.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-217) and index.