Commemorating the sinking of Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur

The Centaur Memorial Fund's 2023 Nurses' Memorial Candlelight Vigil will take place at Anzac Square on Monday 24 April, from 6pm. Join us at Anzac Square Memorial Galleries prior to the vigil for a free talk commemorating the tragic loss of the 2/3 Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur. 

The Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses was established in 1948 to memorialise the nurses and medical personnel who lost their lives when the Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur was sunk by a Japanese submarine off the coast of South East Queensland in 1943.

Only one nurse survived this tragedy, Sister Ellen Savage, who was subsequently awarded the George Medal for her bravery and courage.

During this free talk, we will explore:

• The role of AHS Centaur in WWII
• The tragic sinking on May 14, 1943
• Nurses’ stories of loss and survival
• Establishment of the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses
• Centaur House at 337 Queen Street
• The Centaur Memorial sandstone plaque that is now in our WWII Gallery
• Finding the Centaur in the waters off South-East Queensland.

After the talk, visitors can stay to explore the Memorial Galleries (open special hours until 6pm) before joining the 2023 Nurses' Memorial Candlelight Vigil in the Anzac Square parklands. 

Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane. Entry is through the double brass doors located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance.