New painting of hospital ship Centaur

A new painting of the Australian Hospital ship Centaur, commissioned for Port Adelaide's 2009 ANZAC Light on the Water commemoration, has been completed by renowned Birkenhead maritime artist, John Ford (F.A.S.M.A.).

3000 candle-lit lifeboats are being made by local school students to commemorate the 11 nurses, 33 Army Medical Corps, 179 Field Ambulancemen and 45 Merchant Navy Crw lost with the Centaur off the Queensland coast in May 1943.

To raise funds for the spectacular Port River ANZAC commemoration on April 24, this brilliant painting is being framed and will be the prize in a raffle to be conducted among the 400 people who attend the 1940s Dance Party fundraiser at the Maritime Workers Hall on Saturday April 4.

Local residents will wear 1940s fashions and hairstyles as they dance to the Bay Big Band and are entertained by singers Marlene Richards, Terry Brooker, Wally Carr, Jenny Loftes and the Not The Andrews Sisters.

Some tickets are still available for this memorable event at $25 per head (concession $20) from Port Mall Newsagency in Port Adelaide or by by phone (08) 8447 2961 or by email at contact@portmallnewsagency.com.au

The staging of the 1940s Dance Party and other events will ensure that public attention is drawn to the historic Waterside Workers Hall at 11 Nile Street, which is one of the few magnificent halls of its type in Australia and should be restored to all its glory.

An enormous chapter of Port Adelaide history has been enacted in and around this building.

1940s Dance Party Fundraiser

Semaphore Port Adelaide RSL is staging a 1940s Dance Party at the Waterside Workers Hall in Nile Street Port Adelaide on Saturday April 4 and it will be a memorable night.

A touch of nostalgia for the older generation, but also a current dance rage around Adelaide, 1940s dancing and hairstyles are back in fashion.

Entertainment will include the Bay Big Band and singers Marlene Richards, Terry Brooker, Wally Carr, Jenny Loftes and the Not The Andrews Sisters.

Young and old will be wearing 1940s fashions and and some locals are donning their old World War Two uniforms.

The 1940s Dance Party, which will run from 8 pm till 11 pm, is a fundraiser for ANZAC Light on the Water 2009.

Those attending the 1940s Dance Party on April 4 will be asked to bring a 1940s Supper Plate and a bar will be open with beer, wine and soft drinks.

Tickets are on sale at Port Mall Newsagency in Port Mall, St Vincent Street entrance, with all proceeds going towards the staging of ANZAC Light on the Water on April 24 at 6.30 pm at Queens Wharf Port Adelaide.

ANZAC Light on the Water this year will be a special tribute to the 11 nurses, 33 Army Medical Corps,

45 merchant seamen and 179 Field Ambulance-men who were lost when the Australian hospital ship Centaur was sunk off the Queensland coast in May 1943.

Many Adelaide nurses and ambulancemen are expected to pay tribute to their colleagues at ANZAC Light on the Water.

Significantly, 2009 is the 70th Anniversary of the start of World War Two and the year of Women at War and the Federal and Queensland Governments are currently preparing to conduct a search to find the wreck of the Centaur.

Ticket sales by phone on 8447 2961 and email at contact@portmallnewsagency.com.au