News

ANZAC Day Honour

Apr 03, 2017

We are honoured to announce Australia’s oldest remaining Victoria Cross recipient will be delivering the special address at our ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

Mr Keith Payne VC, AM will attend the 5:30am service at Greenslopes Private Hospital on Tuesday 25 April 2017.

Mr Payne joined the Australian Regular Army in August 1951, and served in Korea, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea during the 1950s and 60s.

In 1969 Mr Payne was appointed to the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam. He was leading a mobile strike force when the North Vietnamese Army attacked from three sides. Despite being injured, Mr Payne covered the withdrawal and established a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours rescuing 40 wounded men while continuing to evade enemy troops.

Mr Payne’s bravery earned him the Commonwealth’s highest award for gallantry: the Victoria Cross.

After retiring from the army in 1975, Mr Payne became a strong advocate for the rights of returned soldiers and their families.

Greenslopes Private Hospital has named its mental health facility in his honour. The Keith Payne Unit specialises services including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, drug and alcohol management, depression, and anxiety.