Representing the Premier, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, The Honourable Yvette D’Ath MP; representing Leader of the Opposition, State Member for Moggill and Shadow Minister for Education and the Arts, Dr Christian Rowan MP; representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Vicki Howard; Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses President, Colonel Julie Finucane OAM and Vice-President, Dr Judith Dean; Secretary of the Defence Service Nurses RSL Sub Branch in Queensland, Dr Ann Bramwell; past and present serving Defence and civilian nurses and families; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
I too, would like to begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people who have served and continue to serve our country in the armed forces.
As evening falls, we gather here in candlelight beside this poignant memorial, to reflect on a tragic event in our history that shone a light on the crucial contribution nurses make in war, and in peace.
When the Australian Hospital Ship, Centaur, was torpedoed on the 14th of May 1943, and so many lives were lost—so close to home—it shocked our nation.
Only 64 out of 332 on board survived the attack, and only 1 of the 12 nurses—Sister Ellen Savage—lived to tell her story.
When the Centaur sank, Ellen saw her cabin mate Myrle Moston, perish in the water. Yet, despite being seriously wounded herself, she was determined to help the injured, and received the George Medal for her “conspicuous gallantry”.
Her actions exemplify service to others that transcends one individual.
She represents all of the nurses who came before her, and all who came after— The more than 3,000 civilian nurses who saw active service in World War 1, and the 5,000 nurses who served during World War 2—those who have tended the sick and wounded in times of conflict, and those who care for people every day, with compassion, devotion and outstanding professionalism.
It is therefore vital we continue to share the story of the Centaur, and the nurses and medical personnel who were en-route to New Guinea to follow their calling.
They left us a valuable legacy we must continue to treasure.
Their memory is forever enshrined in a bronze plaque resting on the foredeck of the Centaur, which lies 2,000 metres under the sea near Moreton Island.
Memorials on headlands at Caloundra, Coolangatta, Point Lookout and Townsville, and the sandstone bas-relief in this Square stand as permanent reminders.
We are encouraged to learn about the Centaur’s story through seminars, and exhibitions.
And, it is commemorated in this evening’s very special ceremony, which has been supported by the Defence Service Nurses RSL Queensland Sub-Branch since its inception.
Most significantly, this special legacy is honoured through the incredible efforts of the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses—an organisation that does so much to advance the professions of nursing and midwifery in our State, through the generosity of their awards and scholarships, and by sharing the story of the Centaur, and its brave personnel.
I am proud—as Patron—to be with you all this evening.
And as Governor of Queensland, I thank all nurses across our State, who give expert care to patients, who fight health battles with poise and skill, who are prepared to put their own lives at risk to help others.
This is the true power of the Centaur legacy.
We Will Remember Them.