A Girl's Guide to World War

Join us at Anzac Square Memorial Galleries for a free talk with award-winning writer of the hit musical A Girl's Guide to World War, Katy Forde.

Katy, who created the show with her partner Aleathea Monsour, speaks passionately about the fascinating true story that inspired the hit show. She’ll share her research about two extraordinary, but scarcely known, ‘lady doctors’ who became decorated war heroes:

• Dr Lilian Cooper - Queensland’s first female doctor who served on the front lines of World War I with the Scottish Women’s Hospital Service after the Australian Army said female doctors were not wanted.
• Dr Agnes Bennett - a Sydney-born doctor who also served on the front lines during World War I, conducted groundbreaking research on tuberculosis, and was a trailblazer for women in medicine.

Together, these women ran the very first woman-run frontline hospital in World War I.

Both women had tried to offer their services as doctors to the armed forces, but only female nurses were accepted: not female doctors. But as Katy will explore in her talk - these inspiring lady doctors did not take ‘no’ for an answer!

Katy’s riveting research explores how these Australian women ran the most beloved hospital on the Serbian front. Despite the constant threat of air raids, they ran the hospital with such professionalism, the Army hospitals began sending their surgeons to the women’s hospital for training. Patients from other hospitals would even try to bribe their way into Dr Bennett and Dr Cooper’s hospital.

Katy Forde is the recipient of the Lord Mayor’s Helen Taylor Research Award. Her musical A Girl’s Guide to World War won Matilda Awards for Best New Australian Work and Best Supporting Female Actor.

After the talk, visitors can stay to explore the Memorial Galleries, embarking on an interactive journey from the First World War to today, before taking time to reflect on the remarkable stories of bravery and sacrifice in the tranquil parklands.

Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane. Entry is through the double brass doors located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance.