Heidelberg
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Waterdale Rd. Heidelberg
The hospital has a rich history commemorating the Centaur. Three of the nurses on board were trained there, and between 1944 and 2016 held an annual service in their chapel (Austin ANZAC Centaur Wing Memorial Chapel) arranged with the Merchant Navy and Darebin RSL
The hospital honours the legacy of the Centaur. There is the Centaur Wing, the Austin Rememberance Garden, and has plaques to both survivors and those who perished.
Mention of the extensive memorials can’t be made without acknowledging the tireless work Robert Winther, OAM (Austin’s Veteran Liaison Officer) has done over the years. He recently clocked up 60 years of service with them. Congratulations Robert and thank you all for all you have done to remember the Centaur.
Melbourne
Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC
Located near Domain Road on the sourthern lawn is a plaque alongside an Oak tree dedicated to the sinking of the Centaur.
Evans family (L/Cpl. Michael O’Brien 2/12 FA) with Shrine Governor, Commander Terry Makings AM, at the 2019
Centaur service.
Myrtleford
A.D. Lowerson VC Memorial Square, Clyde Street, Myrtleford
Submitted by John Twyford, Secretary, Myrtleford RSL Sub-Branch Inc. (Newsletter May 2023).
The Myrtleford community commemorated the Centaur’s Myrtleford-born Sister Alice Margaret O’Donnell AANS in unveiling her bronze bust at this year’s ANZAC Day service with an audience between 650 and 1000 local people and visitors to the town. This is the largest crowd for an ANZAC Day service for many years.
Centaur Association member Mrs Judy Roach, the 92-year old niece of Sister Alice Margaret O’Donnell, assisted Colonel Jan McCarthy (Retired) ARRC, President Returned Nurses Sub-Branch (Vic) in the unveiling ceremony. Also present was Dr Madonna Grehan who laid a wreath on behalf of the Association at the Service and later, at the bust, a wreath on behalf of the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses (QLD).
It was a very good day for all and we think that Allie, as Sr O’Donnell was known to her family and colleagues, would have appreciated all the fuss – or been embarrassed by it…