Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society

The National Shipwreck Relief Society of New South Wales was established in 1877 following the wrecking of the SS YARRA off Newcastle, north of Sydney. The aims of the Society were to 'provide relief to widows, orphans and others dependent upon men lost in the marine service of our coast' as well as 'to grant the Society's Medal's or rewards to any person performing acts of bravery in the saving of human life'. The Society underwent several name changes becoming the Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of New South Wales in 1901, the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of New South Wales in 1902 and the Royal Humane Society (of N.S.W.) in 1968.