Prior to the Nurses Memorial Candlelight vigil at Anzac Square on 24 April 2024, we will be offering a free 30-minute talk commemorating the ordeal of the Australian nurses on the evacuation ship SS Vyner Brooke.
This moving talk will explore:
- The dramatic evacuation of AANS nurses from Singapore in February 1942, followed by the tragic sinking of the SS Vyner Brooke.
- The infamous Bangka Island Massacre
- Vivan Bullwinkle's tale of survival and resilience
- The fate of the other 64 nurses aboard the Vyner Brooke, including several Queenslanders
- The dedication of the Radji Beach memorial on Bangka Island
Following the talk, attendees are welcome to attend the vigil, organised by the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses.
The Memorial Galleries will be open the special hours of 10am-6pm on Wednesday 24 April for those wishing the explore the galleries and digital content before the talk and service.