The remarkable story of
Vivian Bullwinkel
Living Choice Alloura Waters Village Manager, Libby Yates, was invited to attend the Australian War Memorial on 1st and 2nd August for the unveiling of a statue of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel. This amazing woman made significant contributions during World War II. She was an Australian Army nurse who showed immense courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Libby, a Registered Nurse herself, said she had heard stories of Vivian Bullwinkel and that she felt very honoured to be a part of this historic occasion.
During Vivian’s time serving in the Battle of Singapore in 1942, the ship which she was on, the SS Vyner Brooke, was attacked by Japanese forces. After surviving the attack, she and a group of nurses reached Bangka Island, where they were captured by the Japanese. Tragically, the Japanese soldiers killed the nurses, but Vivian survived by pretending to be dead after being shot. Later, she was taken as a prisoner of war until the war’s end.
Libby said Vivian’s story was a testament to the strength and bravery of those who served as nurses during wartime. “The sculpture unveiling at the Australian War Memorial was an opportunity to remember her and all the other courageous women who played vital roles in history, honour their memory and the sacrifices they made for the betterment of others,” she said.
“It’s events like these that remind us of the importance of remembering and commemorating the past to appreciate the freedoms and opportunities we have today.”
