Queensland nurses’ stories from World War I

Name: Queensland nurses’ stories from World War I
Start: 2025-04-24T17:00:00+10:00
End: 2025-04-24T17:30:00+10:00
Location: 285 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Queensland 4000

Schedule

Thu Apr 24 2025 at 05:00 pm to 05:30 pm

UTC+10:00

Location

285 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Queensland 4000 | Brisbane, QL

Join us for a free 30 minute talk highlighting some of the remarkable Queensland nurses who enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) during World War I.
Nurses have been part of the Australian Armed Forces since the formation of the AANS in July 1903. Every year, the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses holds a candlelight Vigil on the eve of Anzac Day at the Nurses’ Memorial, located in the green space at Anzac Square. This Vigil commemorates the service of nurses over the more than 120 years in which Australia has been involved in conflicts and members of the public are welcome to attend.
This year, before the vigil, we will be presenting a 30 minute talk inside Anzac Square Memorial Galleries highlighting some of the 2,850 women who enlisted in the AANS during World War I and served in places such as Egypt, England, France, Gallipoli, Italy, Burma, Salonica and India, as well as in repatriation hospitals back in Australia.
The talk will focus on the story of the highly decorated and respected nurse Constance Mabel Keys, who served for 5 years with the AANS in Egypt, England and France. Through her diaries and letters home you will be able to see things exactly as she experienced them.
Some other notable Queensland nurses whose service will be shared include Sister Elsie Pollock from Ma Ma Creek, Sister Greta Towner from Blackall, Christense Sorenson from Sandgate and Jane McLennan from Mount Perry.
Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane. Entry is through the double brass doors located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance.