Brisbane Courier Mail coverage

Courier Mail photo and story on Centaur model in a bottle at: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25404662-3102,00.html

Brave souls on stormy ANZc Eve

About 400 brave souls ventured out on a wet and windy night for ANZAC Light on the Water 2009 which paid tribute to the 268 Australians who were lost when the hospital ship Centaur was torpedoed off the Queensland coast in May 1943.

Strong winds prevented the lighting of candles in the 3000 cardboard replica lifeboats made by local Primary School students.

However, North Haven Lifesaving Club volunteers came to the rescue and valiantly managed to light some of the candles in the 268 lifeboats that bore the name of each of the victims of the wartime tragedy.

The small group of spectators were entertained by a smaller Bay Big Band, a larger than life Steve Foster, a lone piper and the hugely impressive Royal Australian Navy Guard and Ceremonial Unit.

Port Kids for Anzac Patrons Jack Buckskin, 22, welcomed everyone to the land of his Kaurna people and Paralympian Jay Dohnt, 19, spoke about the role of young people in the future commemoration of Australia's military forces, merchant navy and civilian support groups in many conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

"I encourage all young people to become more involved in ANZAC day events during this and future commemorations, many of the soldiers who fought to create this fantastic legacy of mate ship and patriotism were as young as 16, boys who changed the dates of their birth certificates for an opportunity to represent and protect this country.

"A sense of morality and pride that I believe still exists within Australian youth today.

"ANZAC day is an opportunity to enforce that very sense of pride we have simply by being an Australian.

"A sense of pride that steams back to the attitudes and achievements of the Anzacs, a sense of pride which optimizes Australia and Australians.

"Tonight’s ceremony is the first step for John Williams, Jack Buckskin and I in establishing “Port Kids for ANZAC” a group which is dedicated to reminding SA’s youth about the importance of the Anzac’s and ANZAC day.

"Together with Jack and John I hope to be able to recruit more young people from schools all over SA and fulfil the saying “lest we forget”.

Other speakers included South Australian Treasurer, Kevin Foley, local Federal Labor MP Mark Butler, Port Adelaide Mayor, Gary Johanson, and Rev Ali Wurm.

Because organisers were unable to light many candles, local community and visitors at the event took home most of the 3000 lifeboats and promised to return them for launching when David Mearns of Blue Water Discoveries and the Federal and Queensland Government Search Team locates the wreck of the Centaur later this year.

The organisers of ANZAC of Light on the Water thank all of those volunteers who worked tirelessly on the 2009 event.

Our photos show:

The incredible Centaur in a bottle, a priceless memento, which is actually made from some wreckage washed up on Bribie Island the morning after the hospital ship was sunk. Paul Minards drove to Port Adelaide to show it to everyone at the event, because it was his father, a Coast-watcher on Bribie Island in May 1943, who found the wreckage and then made the ship in the bottle. Paul believes it should be in the National War Memorial in Canberra and it is possible that David Mearns might take it out with him on the search for Centaur.

Photos: Jack Buckskin in Network Ten's Adelaide studios make up.

Jack, who is a dancer and teacher, is also highly skilled in traditional Indigenous body make up himself.

The three Js: Jay, Jack and John with the camera crew after a national interview with David and Kim for 9 AM.

Brave Lifesaver volunteers make every effort to keep the flame burning.

Proud merchant seamen Keith Ridgeway hangs the Red Ensign and Aussie flag.

Veterans widows watch the the RAN Guard and Ceremonial Unit.

Keith Ridgeway, one of the hardest working volunteers with RAN South Australia Commanding Officer, Craig Pritchard, local Federal MP Mark Butler, Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor, Gary Johanson, and lone piper Don Macaulay.

More boats with names

Premier Bligh accepts Centaur painting

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has expressed her gratitude for the gift of the new painting by John Ford F.A.S.M.A. of the Australian hospital ship Centaur to the State of Queensland from the organisers of ANZAC Light on the Water 2009, Semaphore Port Adelaide RSL.

Anthony Crack, Acting Executive Director, State Affairs Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Chairman of the Centaur Project Steering Committee accepts a special limited edition print on her behalf from Tony Williams of Port Adelaide.

Anthony also accepted safekeeping of a second print for David Mearns of Blue Water Discoveries, who will begin the search for the Centaur soon.

Tony presents a third print to Caloundra RSL President, Barry Johnson OAM.

Caloundra RSL has kept the flame alive for everyone aboard the Centaur on her final ill-fated voyage in May 1943 and the families left behind.

The original painting will be on display at ANZAC Light on the Water 2009 when 3000 candle-lit cardboard replica lifeboats will be launched on the Port River as a tribute to the 268 Australians who lost their lives when the Centaur was torpedoed and sunk off the Queensland coast.

ANZAC Light on the Water at Port Adelaide begins at 6.30 pm on April 24.

Port Kids for ANZAC

On ANZAC Eve Friday, April 24, a fleet of 3000 replica cardboard lifeboats will be launched on the Port River from 6.30 pm in a special Commemoration for the hospital ship Centaur which was sunk in 1943 with the loss of 268 Australians.

To mark the loss of 179 ambulancemen and 11 nurses, ambulance drivers and nurses in uniform will be among the 5000 people expected at the event, which from this year will gradually be organised and staged by school students, under guidance from Semaphore Port Adelaide RSL.

The names of all those lost on the Centaur, including 45 merchant navy crew, will be on the sides of 268 of the candle-lit lifeboats.

One of the patrons of Port Kids for ANZAC will be Australian Paralympian Jay Dohnt who won a swimming bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics,along with Federal MP Mark Butler and Port Adelaide Mayor Gary Johanson.

Jay will be visiting Adelaide schools to recruit students who are willing to join the Port Kids For ANZAC team to take over ANZAC events from older volunteers.

Above is a new painting of the Centaur by renowned maritime artist John Ford F.A.S.M.A. to mark the Commemoration and the start of the search
for the wreck of Centaur off the Queensland coast.

Framed prints of the new painting are being presented to Prime Minister Rudd, Veterans Affairs Minister, Alan Griffin, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and "shipwreck detective" David Mearns who will take it with him on the official search vessel when the Centaur search begins later this year.

David said: "Thank you, the painting is beautiful. I would be proud to take it with us.

"I did an interview with ABC radio today and mentioned the ANZAC Eve event and how this is being used to teach school children about Australia's war time history."

A copy of the painting is also being presented to the Caloundra RSL who have kept the flame alive for Centaur over many years.