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Womens Royal Australian Naval Service (H.M.A.S. Moreton)Print Page 
On 1 August 1940, HMAS Penguin IV at Alice Street, the Domain was re-commissioned as HMAS Brisbane. It was later re-commissioned as HMAS Moreton on 1 October 1942. HMAS Moreton was tucked in along the Brisbane River behind the Queensland State Parliament buildings and what is now the site of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
HMAS Moreton established its Headquarters in the old Government House building which is still preserved in the grounds of QUT. One of the original buildings near the river (at right angles to the river) at HMAS Moreton became the Brisbane City Morgue some time after the war. The kiosk building called "City Garden's Cafe" inside the adjacent Botanic Gardens was used as a Ward Room for Officers at HMAS Moreton during World War Two.
The first intake of WRANS at HMAS Moreton was in November 1942. There was initially no accommodation for the WRANS at HMAS Moreton. The local girls lived at home and the country recruits lived at various places such as the YWCA Hostel at "Kinnaird House" at 120 Bowen Terrace, New Farm near the Story Bridge. "Kinnaird House" was also used as Barracks for the WAAAFs during WWII.
The "Wrannery" at HMAS Moreton was eventually completed in December 1943. There were 4 huts with 22 beds, ablution blocks, a laundry, a recreation hut and a mess deck.
Location
| Address: | Gardens Point Road, The Domain, Brisbane, 4000 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.479222 Long: 153.029097 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 03-September-1939 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 15-August-1945 |
Dedication
This plaque marks the original site of H.M.A.S. Moreton and is dedicated to all W.R.A.N.S. who served here during World War II
Womens Royal Australian Naval Service
(1941 - 47 1951 - 85)
In World War II, the W.R.A.N.S. was formed as a means to release men for sea service.
H.M.A.S. Moreton was the entry point for all Queensland residents joining the Royal Australian Navy and was the Brisbane base where the W.R.A.N.S. lived and worked.
The W.R.A.N.S. provided vital support for the naval war effort and were a valuable part of the operations of General Macarthur`s War Headquarters.
