Hundreds of Brisbane residents are expected to attend St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital’s 2017 ANZAC Day Ceremony at Spring Hill.
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital General Manager Andrew Barron says the hospital is a unique war memorial that was built after World War II.
“St Andrew’s is Brisbane’s only war memorial hospital, which serves as a living memorial in our community,” he said.
“Every year, the hospital commemorates ANZAC Day in an afternoon ceremony in recognition of the service and sacrifice of others in defence of our country.
“St Andrew’s opened it doors in 1958 and it’s through compassionate and dedicated acts helping patients and their families at their time of need that the hospital continues to honour its historic war origins.”
Regimental Medical Officer Captain Luke Jeremijenko who also works at St Andrew’s Emergency Centre, says he feels proud to be a part of a hospital that stands as a symbol of remembrance to the sacrifices of servicemen and women.
“It’s wonderful how St Andrew’s places a lot of importance on ANZAC Day and provides an opportunity for the general public, patients and staff to take part in a day ceremony when not everyone can make a dawn service,” Dr Jeremijenko said.
Captain Jeremijenko has served for over 18 years, of which five years he was as a full-time Regimental Medical Officer in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps.
Army medical exercises have taken him to various locations overseas and across
Australia.
“I have been on three overseas deployments including East Timor, Nauru and with the SASR (Special Air Service Regiment) to an undisclosed location,” he said.
“At St Andrew’s, I am lucky in mixing both my military and civilian careers on a daily basis. Gallipoli Barracks (Enoggera) is 5km away and is home to over 4000 Army Personnel.”
Last year, about 2000 Department of Veteran Affair patients were cared for at St Andrew’s and in the last five years more than 9000 have been seen.
“I especially like looking after our Veterans who deserve nothing less than the best,” Captain Jeremijenko said.
This year’s ANZAC Day Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 25 April. The public are invited to attend at 2:10 pm for a 2:30 pm start, to enjoy the Emmanuel College Highlanders at UQ Pipe Band, and to be seated.
The ceremony features keynote speaker Major General John Pearn AO, GCStJ, RFD, Former Surgeon General for the ADF, Australian Defence Force Catafalque Party, Dignitaries, Wreath Laying, the Apollo Male Voice Choir, Light Horse Mounted Soldier and Australian tenor Iain Henderson. Professor Pearn is a legendary figure in medical and defence circles.
Major General John Hemsley Pearn AO GCStJ, RFD
Major General John Pearn AO, GCStJ (Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of Saint John) RFD, is the Former Surgeon General of the Australian Defence Force. He is currently the Senior Paediatrician of The Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital and the Patron of The Wesley and St Andrew’s Medical Research Institute. Dr Pearn is also the National Medical Advisor for The Royal Life Saving Society. A keen historian, he is the author of some 15 books and 50 book chapters on the history of medicine. He is a foundation member of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, a body dedicated to the promotion of best medical ethics in the clinical practice of medicine throughout the world. He is a former national President of the Australian Society for the History of Medicine; and in his civilian life he is Deputy Head of the Graduate School of Medicine and Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at The University of Queensland.
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital
St Andrew’s, as part of UnitingCare Health, is known for “First class treatment, World class results” in all areas of healthcare. The Spring Hill not-for-profit private hospital has 250 beds and is renowned for its excellence in cardiac services, orthopaedics, neurology and rehabilitation.
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital’s onsite emergency centre operates 24/7 providing a full range of emergency care. It received the number one ranking for patient satisfaction in an independent 2016 Press Ganey Survey. Learn more at http://standrewshospital.com.au/
UnitingCare Queensland
UnitingCare Queensland is the health and community service provider of the Uniting Church that supports thousands of people every day of the year through its well-known and respected services including child and family services, UnitingCare Health hospitals, Blue Care’s aged care services, and ARRCS (Australian Regional and Remote Community Services) in the Northern Territory. Learn more at www.unitingcareqld.com.au
Media contact: Belinda Berry, phone 61 7 3834 4552 or email Belinda.Berry@uchealth.com.au