Nurses Memorial Candlelight Vigil 2025

Representing the Premier, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Honourable Tim Nicholls MP; representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Vicki Howard; Member for Moggill, Dr Christian Rowan MP; Senator for Queensland, Senator James McGrath; Queensland’s Chief Nursing Officer, Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan; President of the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses, Colonel Julie Finucane OAM RFD Rtd, Vice-President, Associate Professor Judith Dean, and Centaur members; representatives of the Defence Service Nurses RSL Queensland Sub-branch; current serving Defence and civilian nurses and nursing students; relatives of those who served; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, pay my respects to Elders past, present, and to all First Nations people.

As the sun goes down on Anzac eve, we meet at this sacred place, to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Australian nurses—symbolised most poignantly, by the sinking of the hospital ship, Centaur, on the 14^th of May 1943.

That shocking event resulted in the deaths of 268 people, many of them medical personnel. The only nurse to survive out of 12 on board— Sister Ellen Savage—described being pushed underwater, entangled in ropes.

Even when she surfaced and found relative safety, she was to endure another 36 hours at sea, on a makeshift raft, while severely injured.

The men sharing the ordeal, spoke of Sister Savage’s courage and fortitude—that even despite her pain, “she did not complain once”, and instead took on a “cheerful attitude”, helping to treat others.

Yet, when interviewed while still in hospital, and in response to the reporter’s admiration for “keeping up the morale of the boys on the raft”, Sister Savage quietly replied that she had done “no more than any of the other sisters would have done”.

It could be said that her few simple words encapsulate the essence of nursing and highlight that this drive to assist others—with a unique blend of compassion and expertise—has always been at the heart of the profession.

During both world wars, other military conflicts, and peacekeeping missions, our nurses have been there.

On the front lines they have endured difficult and dangerous conditions, with a constant threat to life, and have seen horrors that had a lasting psychological impact.

They have served in hospitals, on trains, planes and ships, and worked with other organisations such as the Red Cross, to care for returning veterans. They have been prisoners of war—kept in captivity in appalling conditions, suffering from illness and malnutrition.

They have seen their friends and colleagues die.

And sadly, some have lost their own lives.

This evening, as we reflect on the past, it is apparent that the many stories of bravery and determination of those who came before, connect us—over time—to the present.

The sense of comradery, the values of concern and kindness, and the commitment to improve skills and abilities continue to underpin contemporary nursing.

This is both powerful and incredibly valuable, and as Patron of the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses, I am so proud that this organisation not only ensures we honour the memories of those who have perished but contributes so beneficially to advancing nursing and midwifery in Queensland.

This special Fund memorialises the spirit of those who served on the Centaur, by furthering education, which since the time of our country’s first Florence-Nightingale-trained nurses, has been crucial to developing the profession.

I further extend my appreciation to the Defence Service Nurses RSL Queensland Sub-branch, which has supported this important ceremony each year since its inception…

And as Governor of this state, I join with all of you, in sharing my deepest respect for our nurses past and present.

We Will Remember Them.