New health precinct

A HEALTH precinct named in memory of the famous hospital ship 2/3 AHS Centaur was officially opened last week at the Loganlea campus of the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE.

Education and Training Minister, Geoff Wilson said the Centaur Memorial Health Precinct would help alleviate skills shortages at all occupational levels of nursing.

“This important precinct has been created with an investment of $4.5 million through the Queensland Skills Plan capital works program,” he said.

“The precinct will cater to 460 nursing students and 120 aged care students from the Alexandra Hills, Yeronga and Loganlea TAFE campuses.

“A highly skilled teaching staff of 35 will be augmented by new, world-class training and teaching spaces and student and staff amenities.”

The precinct was officially opened by Member for Waterford Evan Moorhead on behalf of Mr Wilson.

Mr Moorhead said the facility was set up as a functioning health care ward, based on a hospital or aged care facility, providing students with invaluable experience in a modern, industry-relevant environment.

“It features an aged care bay and two acute nursing bays,” Mr Moorhead said.

“The nursing and aged care students, who will benefit from these facilities, will be of vital assistance to the wider community, particularly those at their most vulnerable.”

The Centaur was attacked and sunk by a Japanese submarine off the coast of Queensland on May 14, 1943. Of the 332 medical personnel and civilian crew aboard, 268 were killed.

“Amongst those rescued was Sister Ellen Savage, the only surviving nurse from 12 aboard,” Mr Moorhead said.

“Sister Savage was awarded a George Medal for her bravery in providing care for survivors during their 35 hours in the water and is a fitting role model for those looking at a career in nursing.”

Mr Moorhead said three members of the 2/3 AHS Centaur Association attended the opening, all of them relatives of people who died in one of the most tragic incidents in Australia's wartime history.

“I think it is fitting this health precinct is being named in memory of the Centaur,” he said.

“The Centaur Memorial Health Precinct will produce graduates who are determined and capable of making a difference in people's lives in a most meaningful way for generations to come.”