Lot 5341

Description

Star of Courage. Elizabeth Florence Allen. Pantographed. Extremely fine.

"On 10 March 1978, Miss Allen, Director of Nursing at St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital, Semaphore, South Australia, confronted a man who was demanding to see his daughter, an employee at the hospital. The man was armed with a rifle. Miss Allen, being aware of domestic problems in the family and knowing the man to be dangerous, followed and attempted to stop him from entering further into the hospital. As a result, she was shot and fatally wounded. In confronting an armed and dangerous man in order to protect hospital staff and patients Miss Allen displayed conspicuous courage, and in doing so lost her life." In original fitted Royal Australia Mint box of issue with matching miniature, lapel pin and ribbon bar. Together with framed citation given at Government House, Canberra on 1 May 1979.