Australian Service Nurses National Memorial facts for kids
The Australian Service Nurses National Memorial is located on Anzac Parade in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Anzac Parade is a main road where many important memorials are found.
This memorial honors all nurses from the Australian Defence Force. This includes nurses who have served or are currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force. It also remembers nurses from other related services.
The memorial was built to remember Australian Service Nurses. It celebrates their great sacrifice, bravery, and dedication. These nurses were an inspiration to those they helped, even when it meant risking their own lives. The memorial states, "Their memory will also be our sacred trust." Sir William Deane officially opened it on October 2, 1999.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial is made from a special type of glass. It has two wavy walls, each made of two sets of panels. On the front wall, you can read the words, "beyond all praise."
Inside the walls, there are pictures and text etched into the glass. These show the history and important contributions of Australian Service Nursing over time. You can also see a collage of photos and actual diary entries written by nurses.
Some of the glass panels are left blank. This is a special way to show that no memorial can ever fully capture everything about a group of people who served. The way the walls fit together looks like caring hands. There is also a quiet area for thinking. This space is surrounded by rosemary plants, which are a symbol of remembrance. It also has a small pool with a fountain and symbols of Australia's armed forces. There are even spots where new plaques can be added to remember other times nurses have served.
Who Helped Fund the Memorial?
Many people and groups helped raise money to build this important memorial. The Australian Service Nurses National Memorial Fund Committee led these efforts. Some of the well-known members of this committee included:
- Ita Buttrose
- Wilma Oram
- Betty Jeffrey
- Vivian Bullwinkel
Many organizations also gave money to help build the memorial. These included nursing groups, health care providers, and veteran associations from across Australia.
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