Even before the end of the First World War, Australia identified a need to provide ongoing support for wounded returned soldiers to assist in their rehabilitation. The Red Cross took a leading role and supplied staff to rehabilitation hospitals and private rest homes, where returned servicemen learned skills such as leather tooling, spinning, painting, raffia work, stitching and wood carving.

These activities were therapeutic because they could be done individually or in groups as required, and stimulated hand-eye coordination. Items produced were often sold to raise funds for the Red Cross.