NO.072

I was very saddened to learn of the death of Mrs Vivian Statham (nee Bullwinkel) AO MBE

ED, who died in hospital in Perth on 3 July 2000.

Sister Bullwinkel was a truly great Australian.

Sister Bullwinkel is best, and rightly, remembered for her truly heroic role in the

“Banka Island massacre” that followed the fall of Singapore during World War II.

She spent the next three and a half years as a prisoner of war, with other nurses, at

Palembang, Sumatra. Her courage and indomitable spirit were an inspiration to all those

she served with and she exemplifies the bravery, determination and selfless service of all

Australian service nurses.

Following the war, Sister Bullwinkel returned to the nursing profession from which

resigned on her marriage in 1977 to Colonel F W Statham. Until the very end, she remained

very active in the ex-service community, the nursing industry and the service community.

Even in retirement, she was in demand and found it difficult to refuse invitations

involving ex-service associations and the community at large.

I extend the profound sympathy of the Government of Australia on this sad occasion.

Sister Bullwinkel’s family has accepted the Government’s offer of a State

Funeral, which will take place in St George’s Anglican Cathedral, St George’s

Terrace, Perth at 10.30 am on Monday 10 July 2000.

Melbourne

5 July 2000