Introduction

ANZAC Girls is an Australian television drama series that first screened on ABC1 on 10 August 2014.

The true stories of extraordinary young women who witness the brutality and heroism of war and rise to meet the challenge.

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Outline

The nurses arrive in Cairo, Egypt (perhaps Ghezireh Red Cross Hospital at Gezira) from Australia and five principal characters are introduced, all depicting real protagonists. Matron Grace Wilson, is seen as a strong leader, but kind and helpful to those under her: Sister Alice is seen to be the strongest of the four nurses; Olive the lovable larrikin; Hilda the shy, religious, uncertain New Zealander; and Elsie Shepherd, an upper-class girl who briefly hides the fact she is married to Lieutenant “Syd” Cook, son of ex-P.M. Joseph Cook. She is depicted as using her maiden name, because as a married woman she would not be eligible for overseas service (This may be a fiction). Each is prepared for a grand adventure, although some seem to have ideas other than nursing on their minds. Alice goes sight-seeing with the gauche Lieut. Frank Smith; meets Major Xavier Leopold, a British doctor, who adores her; and finally Lieut. Harry Moffitt who reads to her from a book of verse and she is smitten. Hilda is among those chosen to join British hospital ship HMHS Sicilia bound for Gallipoli, experiences shelling and tends some of the first casualties, working long hours. Her friend Millicent breaks down.

Back in Cairo, the surgeons are overwhelmed with casualties from Gallipoli, so Alice and Olive undertake procedures beyond their calling. Elsie finds Syd among the wounded, he recuperates and returns to Gallipoli, as does Harry. Frank is admitted with a punctured lung, he is repatriated to Australia but first proposes to Alice; she makes no commitment.

ANZAC Nurses Series

You can find a full index and overview of ANZAC Nurses here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 10 August 2014.
• Running Time: 60 minutes.
• Rating: 15.
• Country: Australia.
• Language: English.

Video Link