Memorial Service for AHS Centaur

2 March 2010

A memorial service has been held today to remember the AHS Centaur and her crew at St. John's Cathedral, Brisbane.

Messages of remembrance were read by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO, Governor of Queensland, The Honourable Kevin Rudd , Prime Minister of Australia and Mr Martin Lesley Pash, AHS Centaur survivor.

The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie laid a wreath at the service to mark his respects to the fallen.

"This national service allows us to remember the lives lost and the contribution the AHS Centaur and her crew made to this country."

"We can finally know the resting place of these men and women and give them a dignified farewell," said Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie.

It was also poignant that current serving member, Lieutenant Colonel Gavin Keating read a prayer for the bereaved and the seafarers.

Lieutenant Colonel Keating is the nephew of Sister Ellen Savage who was on board the AHS Centaur when it was sunk.

More than 700 relatives and well wishers were present at the service. A large screen enabled the public to view the service from outside the cathedral.

The service concluded with an Army bugler playing the Last Post followed by a minutes silence.