Red Nose Australia began as a small group of families with a shared mission to prevent the tragic loss of babies and children, and to support those affected by such losses. From its humble beginnings in 1977, Red Nose has grown into Australia’s leading organisation dedicated to saving little lives during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, as well as providing compassionate support for families facing the death of a baby or child.
1977 – 1987: The Beginning of a Lifesaving Movement
The foundation of Red Nose began with the establishment of several state-based organisations following the heart-wrenching deaths of babies. In 1977, Kaarene Fitzgerald founded the Victorian organisation after losing her son Glenn. The Queensland SIDS organisation was founded by Michele Freemantle after the death of her son Todd, and similar organisations were established in New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. These organisations, fueled by the grief of bereaved parents, provided critical support and began advocating for safer sleep practices.
In 1987, the first National SIDS Conference was held, and SANDS (Support After Neonatal Death) was formed, bringing together parents from across Australia to share their experiences and strengthen the support network for grieving families.
1988 – 1998: National Expansion and Awareness
In 1988, the first Red Nose Day was held, asking Australians to “get silly for a serious cause” to raise awareness about SIDS. This event quickly became a national fundraising initiative, helping to finance research and support programs for grieving families. During this time, Red Nose launched its health promotion campaigns and bereavement support services, reaching more families across the country.
1999 – 2009: Growth and Merger of Key Organisations
The 2000s marked a period of growth, with various regional organisations merging to form a unified national entity. In 2001, SANDS NSW merged with SIDS and Kids NSW, and similar mergers took place in Western Australia, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. Red Nose’s advocacy expanded with new initiatives, such as the Treasured Babies’ Program and the establishment of the Kaarene Fitzgerald Lecture and Research Fellowship. In 2008, the Red Nose Clothing Collection program was launched, adding another dimension to the organisation’s fundraising efforts.
2010 – 2017: Red Nose Becomes a National Leader
In 2010, Red Nose consolidated its services, offering a 24/7 peer support line for bereaved families. The organisation continued to push for safer sleep practices and the prevention of sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy. In 2016, Red Nose was officially rebranded, marking a significant milestone in its journey to eliminate preventable deaths of babies and children during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. That same year, Red Nose launched the Pepi-Pod program, which aimed to reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected deaths in Indigenous communities.
2018 – 2022: Merging for Greater Impact
In 2018, Red Nose merged with Sands Australia, further expanding its ability to support families affected by baby loss. The 30th anniversary of Red Nose Day was celebrated in 2018, highlighting the organisation’s long-standing commitment to raising awareness and funds for critical research. During this time, Red Nose launched several groundbreaking programs, including the Hospital to Home program, which provided ongoing support to families after the death of a baby. In 2020, Red Nose launched Australia’s first digital Red Nose and received funding for a national stillbirth awareness campaign.
2023 and Beyond: Innovation and Continued Advocacy
In 2023, Red Nose’s advocacy efforts reached new heights with the introduction of the Healing Through Community program, supported by a $3.2 million grant. The same year, Red Nose launched the 5th Annual Say Their Name Day, a campaign aimed at raising awareness and reducing the stigma around baby loss. With continued support from partners like The Wiggles, Red Nose continues to fundraise and advocate for safer sleep practices, research, and support for grieving families.
Red Nose remains steadfast in its mission to save little lives and ensure that every grieving family receives the support they need, whenever they need it.
Our work continues today. Because while we have reduced SIDS by 80% and invested more than $18 million into lifesaving research, 3,000 babies and young children still die suddenly and unexpectedly each year in Australia, and 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage.
Through world-class research, lifesaving education programs, and vital bereavement support services, we continue the work of our founders.
Learn more about how you can get involved and help support families and save little lives.
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