The Vivian Bullwinkel Project

Why the legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA is so relevant today.

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Foundation is fundraising for the commissioning and installation of sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA to be installed in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial.

This commission will be the first sculpture to commemorate the service of an individual woman or nurse in the Memorial’s grounds.

“As an Australian Service Nurse, I sustained life-threatening injuries whilst deployed overseas.

Vivian Bullwinkel’s ability to continue to live her life in the service of others, despite the adversity she had faced, provided me with unparalleled and powerful motivation to do the same.

Vivian Bullwinkel was witness to the death of 21 of her Australian Army Nursing Service sisters. She devoted her life to ensuring that not only did we understand how they had died, but most importantly, how courageously and selflessly they had lived.”

Wing Commander (Ret’d) Sharon Bown RN FACN

We’re here for nurses. Will you support us?

Did you know...

...nurses work on the frontline in every health care setting, providing the most face to face clinical care and are likely to be the first and only health professional seen by people in remote communities for both specialist and primary care?

...the nursing workforce is the largest single health profession and for many years has been highly regarded by the public as the most trusted and ethical profession?

...that throughout history, Australian nurses have faced extraordinary challenges (including the COVID-19 pandemic) with empathy, perseverance, personal sacrifice, leadership, courage and fortitude to deliver authentic skilled care?

...nursing care is unequivocally linked to the health and wellbeing of the Australian community?

The ACN Foundation is committed to ensuring Australian nurses have access to educational, research, advocacy and leadership opportunities that will keep them highly skilled and at the cutting edge of health care delivery.

Will you support us in supporting Australian nurses to strengthen Australian health care?





Our campaigns

Scholarships, grants & awards

The ACN Foundation administers and seeks new opportunities to administer scholarships and grants to support Australian nurses. This continues the rich tradition of investing in the nursing profession that was central to the ethos of ACN’s predecessors The College of Nursing and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia.

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Leaving a gift in your Will

You can create a lasting impact on the nursing profession by donating a substantial gift during your lifetime or leaving a gift in your will. Establishing a legacy is hugely gratifying feeling knowing you are making a difference to thousands of nurses across Australia.

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Payroll giving

Did you know that you can get your tax deduction at the time that you make a regular fortnightly donation? A regular donation the amount of a cup of coffee can go a long way to assisting our nurses enhance their professional development and leadership skills. 

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Stay in touch

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Latest news and announcements

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ConvaTec scholarship for the Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) in collaboration with ConvaTec ANZ, and supported by The Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses (AASTN) and The New Zealand Nurses organisation College of Stomal Therapy Nurses (NZNOCSTN), is delighted

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It’s Time for Nurses Scholarship Fund

In a year unlike any other, 2020 has delivered so many unexpected challenges for all Australians. Nurses have led from the front in guiding Australia through a devastating series of natural disasters and navigating the health, economic and social imp

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The Vivian Bullwinkel Project 2021

Demonstrating personal sacrifice delivered with skill, empathy, generosity, humour, and true grit. A reminder for us all. Why the legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA is so relevant today.

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The Institute of Leadership

Supporting Nurse Leaders Every Step of the Way.

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B Inspired by Australian Defence Force Nursing

The ADF Nursing community is trying to raise $10,000 which will go towards sculpting and establishing a statue of Vivian Bullwinkel in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. Please help us by making a donation through our page.

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Grants and awards

ACN administers a number of grants that have been provided to ACN by our generous benefactors, some of whom have nominated specific eligibility and selection criteria for their awards.