2103 days ago

The Story of Ella Cooke

The Team from Auckland Museum

In the winter of 1914, Ella Cooke was looking forward to a grand adventure. The Auckland-born nurse and her twin sister Lily had just departed New Zealand in a boat bound for Vancouver, New York and finally England. She was looking forward to seeing the sights, and eventually a working holiday in London, or maybe Paris.

The outbreak of war in July 1914 dashed all her plans. Rather than return home, Ella joined the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve. The work was extremely difficult, and Ella described it in her letters as 'frightfully hard'.

The story of Ella Cooke, captured below in our Online Cenotaph, is one of ceaseless dedication to nursing the ill and ailing back to health. Her work is reflected in the remarkable efforts of New Zealand's doctors, nurses and healthcare staff, who are taking every measure to ensure the ongoing safety of New Zealanders. A huge thank you to these essential workers for the incredible job they do.

www.aucklandmuseum.com...

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 20.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    20.9% Complete
  • 68.7% Nah - not for me
    68.7% Complete
393 votes
8 hours ago

We are open NEW YEARS EVE AND NEW YEARS DAY!!!

The Team from Red Cross Shop Panmure

Hello Neighbours,

Yes, you read that right, we are open on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday 31st December 2025. And New Year’s Day Thursday 1st January 2026at our normal trading hours of 9am to 5pm.

Hope to see you all then.

8 hours ago

NZ FAMILY SUMMER 👒

The Team from Red Cross Shop Panmure

Hello Neighbours,


From beachy summer outfits, to holiday must haves like bags, sunglasses, jewellery. Come on by and see what we have in store.

See you all then, and have great day.

Panmure team.