The Bullwinkel Project

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The ACN Foundation continues to raise funds for the commissioning and installation of a 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 of an individual woman and the first to commemorate a nurse in the Memorial’s grounds. It will serve to inspire generations and commemorate all nurses and midwives and remind us of their contributions of selfless service to Australia whether in war or in peace.

Portrait by Shirley Bourne, Archibald finalist from 1955-57

Be part of the Vivian Bullwinkel Project Commemorative Book

In August 2023, the Australian College of Nursing Foundation will be unveiling a commemorative sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA at the Australian War Memorial.

To coincide with the unveiling, we wish to publish a commemorative book detailing Vivian Bullwinkel’s life and legacy and the process to get the first sculpture of an individual woman or nurse on the Memorial’s grounds.

Submissions are now closed for the Vivian Bullwinkel Project Commemorative Book. More information will be released later this year - stay tuned!

But we need your help.
We are looking to include stories and reflections from people who were instrumental in the raising of this statue, who are inspired by the project in the commemorative book and family, friends and colleagues of the 22 nurses who were shot at the Bangka Island Massacre in 1942. Therefore, we invite you to submit a reflection that might be included in the publication.

Share reflection now

In addition to the commissioning of the sculpture, the ACN Foundation is also raising funds to establish nursing scholarships in the names of Vivian’s 21 Australian nurse colleagues who did not survive the Bangka Island massacre in 1942 where Vivian was the only survivor. These scholarships will inspire younger generations of nurses to lead their own contemporary journey in providing exceptional skilled health care for all Australians...

“Chin up, girls. I’m proud of you all and I love you all.”

Matron Irene Drummond called out as she walked into the water to her death on Radji Island Beach, 16 February 1942

The Bullwinkel Project has been endorsed by General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(MIL) CVO MC (Ret’d); Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d); The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence; General Angus J Campbell AO DSC, Chief of the Defence Force; Major General (Ret’d) Elizabeth (Liz) Cosson AM CSC.View endorsement letters here

Our supporters

Thank you to all donors to The Bullwinkel Project – every donation contributes to ensuring it’s success. Leadership donations include:

• Ro Hogan in memory of her parents and grandparents
• The David and Jennie Sutherland Foundation

Thank you for being inspired!

The Bullwinkel Project is inspirational through the commissioning of a sculpture of Vivian Bullwinkel for the grounds of the Australian War Memorial – the first of an individual woman and of a nurse. We aim to inspire generations and commemorate all nurses and midwives and remind us of their contributions of selfless service to Australia.

The new nursing scholarships in the names of the 21 Australian nurses who died at Bangka island will inspire younger generations of nurses to lead their own contemporary journey in providing exceptional skilled healthcare for all Australians.

We are appreciative of your taking the time to making a donation to this inspirational initiative.