A Vision Becomes a Reality
In November 1947, Betty Jeffrey and Vivian Bullwinkel set out in Betty’s little Austin car to promote a fundraising appeal for the establishment of a War Nurses’ Memorial Centre in Melbourne. They visited every hospital in Victoria with more than 20 beds to present their vision of an educational and social centre for the nursing profession that would also function as a living memorial to their fallen colleagues. Betty and Vivian encouraged their fellow nurses to compete in a statewide ‘Queen of Nurses’ competition in aid of the appeal. Altogether the fundraising appeal raised £121,000, of which £78,000 was raised by the ‘Queens’. At the time it was the most successful appeal in Victoria’s history.
Our Mission and Goals
To inspire nurses to lead with resilience, courage and determination.
To serve as a living memorial for remembering and learning from history.
To promote, honour and respect the qualities of nurses who served.
To share stories of leadership, past & present.
To award scholarships to nurses and organise memorial events.
Our Impact Across Nursing
$3,000,000+
Scholarship Funding Awarded
75+ Years
Supporting Australian Nurses
450+
Scholarships & Grants Awarded
Our History
The Australian Nurses Memorial Centre is a living memorial to the heroism and sacrifice of the 76 Australian nurses who died during World War Two and to those who survived years in prisoner-of-war camps during that time.
FEBRUARY 1942
Vivian Bullwinkel is the sole surviving Australian nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre, during which 21 of her colleagues were killed by Japanese soldiers on Radji Beach, Bangka Island.
AUGUST 1945
Vivian, Betty Jeffrey, and 22 other Australian nurses are freed after three-and-a-half years of captivity in Japanese internment camps. In October they arrive back in Australia.
DECEMBER 1947
Formal launch of £250,000 War Nurses’ Memorial Centre Appeal at Melbourne Town Hall.
APRIL 1949
The Victorian home ‘Oban’ (also known as ‘Madowla’), situated at 431 St Kilda Rd, is purchased for the establishment of the War Nurses’ Memorial Centre.
MAY 1949
War Nurses’ Memorial Centre opens its doors for the first time.
ANMC Founders
Captain Wilma Oram
