𝗔𝗹𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 – 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

A unique ceremony was held in Melbourne on 14 May 2026 at the Alfred Hospital.

Formed in 1990 the Alfred Hospital Nurses League brings together nurses who trained and worked at the Alfred, including those who served in world wars, beginning in the Boer War.

In 1953, friends and family of Capt. Eileen Rutherford (AANS, lost on the AHS Centaur), memorialised her through erecting a sundial at the hospital, however this was later removed for further hospital developments in 1996.

The ceremony held on 14 May, commemorated the restoration of the sundial at the Alfred Hospital’s garden, unveiled by friend of the Centaur Association Dr Madonna Grehan, and Secretary Prue Cox (see photo). In attendance was the great-nephew of Capt. Eileen Rutherford, Craig Brum.

After the unveiling attendees adjourned to the lecture theatre where Dr Madonna Grehan, the driving force of the league and restoration of the sundial, gave an insightful presentation about the personal life of Capt. Rutherford and the history of the AHS Centaur to a largely new and receptive audience. The ‘Imagining Centaur’ animation was also shown which was a reminder what a powerful piece of art it is: https://youtu.be/MT3FXq7HuDU?si=806FK7eckEAx1_6N

The Centaur Association sincerely thanks the Alfred Hospital Nurses League for recognising the Association in the official party and for their efforts in remembering one of our Centaur people, Sister Eileen Rutherford.