RSL Urges Support for Bullwinkel Project
The Returned & Services League (RSL) is calling for additional support for the Australian College of Nursing (ACN)’s campaign to honour Australian Army nursing hero Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA and her 21 nursing colleagues massacred on Bangka Island in World War II.
The College is raising funds for 21 annual nursing scholarships, as well as the placement of a statue of nurse Bullwinkel at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Known as the Bullwinkel Project, the ACN is hoping to raise an additional $210,000 for the statue to be completed, and erected. It will be the first nurse and first female sculpture at the War Memorial and will recognise the horrific massacre at Bangka Island in 1942.
The 21 annual scholarships will honour the 21 nurses executed on Bangka Island and inspire younger generations on their journeys to provide skilled health care for all Australians.
RSL National President Greg Melick said the RSL was extremely pleased to support the ACN in its effort to honour Vivian Bullwinkel and the sacrifices of the Australian nurses on Bangka Island.
“The RSL and many members have already supported the fundraising campaign, but more is required to ensure this ongoing legacy,” he said.
Nurse Bullwinkel joined the Australian Army Nursing Service in 1941 and was assigned to serve in Singapore and Malaya. With the fall of Singapore, on February 12, she, with 65 other nurses boarded the SS Vyner Brooke to escape the island. Two days later, the ship was sunk by Japanese aircraft. Bullwinkel, 21 other nurses and a large group of men, women, and children made it ashore at Radji Beach on Bangka Island.
Surrendering to Japanese troops, the men were killed, and the nurses ordered into the water. They were then machine-gunned from behind, killing all of them but for Bullwinkel who was struck by a bullet and pretended to be dead until the Japanese left. Again, surrendering after 12 days, Bullwinkel spent three and half years as a prisoner of the Japanese. She was one of just 24 of the 65 nurses who had been on the Vyner Brooke to survive the war.
She retired from the army in 1947 and became Director of Nursing at Melbourne's Fairfield Hospital. She devoted herself to the nursing profession and to honouring those killed on Bangka Island, raising funds for a nurses' memorial, and serving on numerous committees, including a period as a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial, and later president of the Australian College of Nursing. Vivian Bullwinkel died on July 3, 2000.
“The Australian nurses who were massacred on Bangka Island were born and trained in cities and towns around Australia and RSL encourages its members and the Australian community to support the ACN’s Bullwinkel Project,” Greg Melick said.
“Nurses play a vital role in Australia’s Defence Forces, particularly in conflicts, and it is fitting that they, and Vivian Bullwinkel are honoured through scholarships in the names of the 21 nurses who did not survive the massacre, as well as the sculpture at the Australian War Memorial.
“The sculpture and the scholarships will help inspire generations of Australians, as well as commemorate all nurses and midwives and remind us of their contributions of selfless service to Australia whether in conflicts or in peacetime.”
