During this time she was also a charity patron for causes relating to supporting soldiers in the war effort, advancing the roles of women, and child education and welfare.

[2] She was fluent in eight languages other than English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Russian, Greek, and Arabic.

Ferguson saw an opportunity for the Australian Red Cross to be led by women, and contacted the wives of the governor generals of all states of Australia, making them members of the central organisation, and invited them to establish their own local branches.

[6][7] As such, Ferguson sent the invitation to Lady Alice Augusta Morgan, who established the branch, which Goold-Adams was to preside over when she and her husband arrived in April 1915 after he had been appointed Governor.

On behalf of the Playground Association, Goold-Adams opened Queensland's first free children's book library on 15 June 1918 at Ithica.

[28] Goold-Adams initiated the Queensland branch of the Girl Guides, by hosting a meeting at Government House for its establishment on 15 November 1919.