Community Wellness Hub Thursday 21st May 2026
We had the honour of Elizabeth Olssen speak on the Bangka Island, Radji Beach massacre. It was a very confronting presentation but one that needed to be spoken about.
Nurses and Soldiers were evacuated from Singapore 12th February 1942 during the Japanese invasion only to have some of the ships bombed and people trying to survive in the sea. Many were washed away but many also made it to Radji beach. Unfortunately, the Japanese arrived and many were shot. A group of nurses were marched into the sea and gunned down. Only one survived and that was Vivian Bullwinkle. Trying to survive in the jungle was impossible and along with a soldier they both surrendered to the Japanese.
Vivan spent 3 1/2 years in an Internment Camp under horrific conditions. Lack of food and medicines resulted in many deaths. Eventually liberation arrived and the surviving nurses sent home.
On her return Vivan took up the position of Director of Nursing at the Fairfield Infectious Diseases hospital. In 1947 Vivian gave evidence of the massacre at a war crimes trial in Tokyo. She devoted herself to the nursing profession and to honouring those killed on Bangka Island, raising funds for a Nurses’ memorial. In later years she became president of the Australian College of Nursing.
Vivian Bullwinkle is an inspiration to all nurses and her story truly remarkable. Elizabeth presented with passion and emphasized the sacrifices and courage the nurses demonstrated under such horrific conditions.
It was an inspiring presentation, and the group were humbled by the actions of Vivian Bullwinkle and the Army nurses.
Many thanks to all the volunteers on the day, D. Munro, K. Cross, S. Girke, P. Higgins, T. Maloney and a new volunteer P. Boyce.