May 14th Sydney Morning Herald.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has paid tribute to the nurses and doctors who died May 14, 1942, on the hospital ship Centaur which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. On that date, 268 of the 332 aboard died.
The wreck was just discovered this past December. Rudd said this was a solemn day in Queensland and Australian history.
The Centaur Public Primary School had a ceremony at Point Danger in honor of its namesake. Pupils joined relatives of the medical personnel including the Moran, Hindmarsh and Chegwyn families.
The Hindmarsh Award is given to students and is named after Dr, Bernie Hindmarsh who died on the Centaur. The school is raising funds to buy playground equipment in the shape of the ship. So far, $8,000 of $15,000 needed have been raised and it is expected to be finished in about 8 months.
A commemorative ceremony was also held at Caloundra's Centaur Park and the War Memorial in Canberra. The AHS Centaur group will have a wreath-laying ceremony in Brisbane Bay as well.
A Sad Moment in Australian History. --Cooter
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