On February 16, 1942, 21 Australian Army nursing officers and one civilian nurse were murdered on Radji Beach in the Bangka Island Massacre.
Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel was the sole survivor and became a prisoner of war until World War II ended in 1945.
She eventually returned to Australia, where she championed the improvement of education and working conditions for all nurses until she died in 2000.
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) awards scholarships to 22 military and civilian nurses each year in honour of the nurses who were murdered, and the incredible legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Bullwinkel.
This year, three ADF nurses have been awarded an ACN scholarship, valued at up to $10,000. The recipients are:
- Captain Krezeil Lacorte (Army), in memory of Lieutenant Florence 'Flo' Rebecca Casson (SA). Nurse Director leadership program.
- Major Lee-Ann Pine (Army), in memory of Sister Florence Aubin Salmon (NSW). Nurse Director leadership program.
- Squadron Leader Koryn Roberts (Air Force), in memory of Sister Esther Sara Jean 'Stewie' Stewart (Queensland). Nurse Executive leadership program.
Captain Lacorte, posted to 3rd Health Battalion, said the scholarship would help her develop strategic, clinical and organisational leadership skills.
"This will help me better support our people, strengthen healthcare delivery across Defence and contribute to the future capability and sustainability of the ADF," Captain Lacorte said.
"I am grateful for the investment Defence makes in its people through programs such as this scholarship. I am proud to serve as a nursing officer in the ADF and look forward to continuing to contribute to Defence health now and into the future.
"ADF nursing offers a unique and rewarding career and provides opportunities that are rarely available to civilian practice, including diverse clinical exposure, operational roles, professional development and the chance to serve Australia in a meaningful way."
'Service, much like health care, is more than a career - it is a way of life.'
Major Lee-Ann Pine, who works in health governance in Army Health, said it was necessary to continually evolve professionally as a senior nursing officer.
"The scholarship reinforces my commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence. It will challenge me to think critically, engage with thought leaders and reflect on my own leadership style," Major Pine said.
"I aspire to be a strategic, visionary leader in nursing, who contributes to shaping policy, strengthening governance and advancing the profession with integrity and purpose.
"The Radji Beach nurses demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism, compassion and loyalty, even in the most harrowing circumstances. Their narrative has shaped my understanding of what it truly means to serve, not just as a nurse, but as a leader and protector of others."
Squadron Leader Koryn Roberts works at one of Air Force's deployable medical treatment facilities, which includes resuscitation and surgical capabilities. She said the scholarship would enable her to further consolidate and grow military and health leadership skills.
"It will help me to further develop the skills to most effectively communicate how health capabilities can be best utilised to enable the ADF's mission," Squadron Leader Roberts said.
"Service, much like health care, is more than a career - it is a way of life. Your role does not end when you log off at the end of the day. Being able to contribute to something that is bigger than oneself is mutually challenging and rewarding.
"The Vivian Bullwinkel Scholarship provides nurses with great opportunities to grow themselves, which then grows the nursing profession. I strongly encourage all nurses to actively seek any and all opportunities that offer challenges, because this is how we grow."
The Australian College of Nursing is Australia's peak professional body for nursing. It provides education, advocacy, networking and leadership for nurses across Australia.
The ACN Bullwinkel Scholars Program is supported through funding from government, business, military nurses and the wider community.
