WE SALUTE THE NURSES
This ANZAC Day The Hoopla is proud to highlight the extraordinary sacrifices of our nursing women who continue to care for the sick and wounded in the theatre of war.
Australian nurses have been going to war for more than 100 years, but their important contribution to Australia’s overseas military operations often goes unreported.
A stunning and emotionally charged exhibition – Nurses: from Zululand to Afghanistan – is now on show at the Australian War Museum in Canberra (until October 12 this year).
Group portrait of the matron and nursing staff of the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital. Suez Canal. February 1916
The exhibition explores the involvement of nurses in the Zulu War of 1879, right up to the experiences of the male and female nurses serving in recent conflicts and peace-keeping operations.
Using the museum’s rich collection, the exhibition highlights the personal stories of Army, Air Force and Navy nurses who have served overseas; their difficulties and challenges, along with their determination to care for the sick and wounded, come what may.
We thank the Australian War Museum for the opportunity to share these words and images from the exhibit.
The Boer War, Great War, Second World War, Cold War and Military Nursing Today are all documented.
For a glimpse of the riches on display, read on…
*Home page photograph: Madang, New Guinea. c. 1945. Group portrait of nurses, left to right: Sisters Witcombe, NcNamara, Furey, Senior sister Doherty, Sisters Scholes, Rodda, Fewkes, in their tropical uniforms at no. 1 medical receiving station RAAF.
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5 Responses to this article
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Pauline April 24, 2012
Thanks for this article on the eve of Anzac Day. The nurses don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
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The Huntress April 24, 2012
These nurses are such a huge inspiration to me and make me proud to be a nurse. It is my dream to one day volunteer for MSF so I can get out there and help those in war zones too. Remember our brave, amazing nurses, providing care and humanity where it’s so often been lost.
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Donna @ NappyDaze April 24, 2012
What a fabulous tribute to such unsung heroes!
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Kid April 25, 2012
This is a beautiful exhibition. I saw it yesterday. If you go, try to also see the 15 minute play down in the aeroplane gallery. Ashamed to say I cannot remember the name of the actress or the writer. It is about the experience of a nurse during WW1.
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Jess April 28, 2012
Oh gosh, I just love the photo of the whole family in uniform. That is amazing. I am so proud to be an Australian woman as I read this.
I have always been a fan of nurses. As well having more than a few in my family, I am particuarly fascinated by the experiences of the nurses in World War II as Prisoners of War. Many of them chose to stay with their patients, rather than leave them to the mercies of the invading soldiers. So unbelievably brave, I just can’t comprehend it.
