UQ medical students remember colleagues

The University of Queensland Medical Society (UQMS) will stop to remember its medical colleagues and compatriots who sacrificed their lives to defend Australia.

The annual tribute service held the day before ANZAC Day honours the fourteen past members of the UQMS who died on duty defending the nation.

Major General John Pearn AO RFD (Retd), patron of the medical society, will open the service, which will be followed by an address by UQ medical student and President of the UQMS Claire Mohr.

Major General Pearn said the preservation of health, physical and mental, was the most important determinant of the outcome of operational service.

“So many of those who have graduated in medicine have served their fellow Australians in warfare over the past 130 years and those who graduate today and tomorrow will continue this proud tradition,” he said.

Ms Mohr said the UQMS was proud to have hosted the longstanding ANZAC Day Tribute service.

“We are privileged to continue the tradition of medical students honouring the service men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country,” she said.

“It is an invaluable opportunity for the medical community to gather together for this purpose.”

The guest speaker for this year’s ANZAC Day Tribute ceremony is Lt Col Peter Nasveld.

Lt Col Peter Nasveld has served 31 years as a Defence Medical Officer in the Australian Army.

The Ode to the Fallen will be read by fourth year UQ medical student Ona Okon, who is currently in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The ANZAC Day Tribute ceremony will start at 9am on Wednesday, April 24 behind the Mayne School of Medicine, Weightman St, Herston.

Students, staff and all members of the public are welcome to attend the tribute service.

Media: UQMS Liaison Officer, Mihir Shanker, 0401 221 481, liaison@uqms.org