Author Talk: Ellen Savage and the Heroes of AHS Centaur - Grantlee Kieza

The extraordinary true story of courage under fire and survival during one of the deadliest wartime attacks on Australia - the sinking of the hospital ship, the Centaur - and the bravery of its heroes

Few disasters have touched Australia as profoundly as the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur - one of the deadliest wartime attacks on the nation, killing 268 souls on a mission of mercy.

Yet the extraordinary heroism it inspired galvanised Australia in the face of the Japanese war offensive that had already seen submarine attacks on Sydney and Newcastle, and aerial bombing raids on Darwin, Townsville and Broome.

Just before dawn on 14 May 1943, the Centaur was cruising north from Sydney, to bring home troops wounded fighting the Japanese in New Guinea. Under the rules of the Hague Convention, all of the Centaur's lights were shining brightly against its brilliant white hull, clearly displaying the bright red crosses painted on its sides.

But off the coast of Brisbane, a Japanese submarine commander fired a torpedo into the Centaur's heart. Many of those on board were killed instantly, and the ship took just three minutes to sink to a watery grave 2000 metres below.

Ellen Savage, a fearless nurse from country New South Wales, emerged from a whirlpool of fire and burning wreckage, her body bruised and broken, and the only woman to survive. But for more than 34 hours, she and other heroes fought off hungry sharks, and did all they could to save other badly injured survivors until rescuers arrived.

Prime Minister John Curtin called the attack 'barbarous', and avenging the attack became a rallying cry for the Australian forces. Ellen Savage was awarded the prestigious George Medal for her remarkable bravery, and 66 years later, some of those she saved would witness the discovery of the Centaur's wreckage on the ocean floor, bringing its story of hope and heroism full circle - one of the most inspiring in Australia's history.

Award-winning journalist Grantlee Kieza OAM held senior editorial positions at The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Courier-Mail for many years and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing. He is a Walkley Award finalist and the author of more than twenty acclaimed books, including bestsellers Sister Viv, Flinders, Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross and Bert Hinkler

Copies of the books will be available for purchase and be signed by the author.

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The Theatre, Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Sydney, Australia

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