St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane founded on spirit of the Anzacs

DR Stan Mellick is firmly entrenched in the Anzac Day tradition at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane’s Spring Hill.

Dr Stan Mellick who has raised and lowered the flag at St Andrews Hospital Anzac Day Service for 50 years.

THERE is a deep history to the solemn rite of raising and lowering the flag at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital every Anzac Day.

Dr Stan Mellick OAM ED, who served in World War II’s New Guinea campaign and on the Spring Hill hospital’s board of directors, has performed the role numerous times in the past 50 years.

The Anzacs were central to the hospital’s creation, he said.

“The hospital was established in 1958 as a living memorial to the sacrifices of the men and women who served in the two World Wars and subsequent campaigns,” Dr Mellick said.

“Over the years I have attended most Anzac Day services at the hospital, and have often been asked to raise and lower the flag.

“It’s been an honour to do so.”

Dr Mellick sourced equipment for the hospital while a governor and commanding officer of Brisbane’s 4 Signal regiment in the mid-1960.

RAANC Honorary Colonel Wendy Taylor, who will be keynote speaker at this year’s event, said the link continued to the present.

“St Andrew’s has a long connection of supporting veterans, including treating members of the armed forces who have served in recent conflicts, such as in the Gulf Wars, East Timor and Afghanistan,” she said.

To commemorate 100 years since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, and recognise the sacrifices of those men and women who have served out country since WWI, Quest Community Newspapers will publish one story each day online in the lead-up to Anzac Day. THIS story is part of Quest Community Newspapers’ 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Stories project, which will profile Queensland WWI heroes and families as the nation builds up to the centenary of the Allied landing on Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. If you have the details and war record of a family member who served during WWI, let us know on our Facebook page or email [e-mail]

Originally published as St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane founded on spirit of the Anzacs