We have so many heroes, but today I want to honour some largely unsung heroes who have been exemplary in their Australianness . Australian women who lived out the ANZAC Spirit.
Since the 19th century Australian women have been involved in conflicts in the cause of freedom all over the world. Even today, our Australian service women stand tall in leadership roles in Army, Navy and Airforce. They radiate the ANZAC Spirit alongside our gallant Australian servicemen - they too are heroes. Their stories are largely untold, but never forgotten. Among them are Nancy Wake, born a Kiwi, grew up to become an Australian nurse and Journalist in World War II She worked undercover in France. The Gestapo called her “the White Mouse” and were so afraid of her they put a bounty of 5 Million francs on her head – dead or alive. She saved so many, and she is one of the most decorated people of WWII. She was an Australian.
Another was Sr Vivian Bullwinkle , born in the wine country of S.A. With her best friend Wilma Oram, they became Australian Army nurses. Actually Vivian wanted to join the RAAF, but failed the medical! The Army took her and she became another Australian heroine.
In 1941 Viv and Wilma sailed on the SS Wanganella bound for the Malay Peninsula (Interestingly, the Wanganella itself has a history, finishing her life on the trans Tasman run from Sydney to Auckland) Vivian and Wilma worked in Malacca in the Australian Army Field Hospital. The Japanese advanced down the Malay Peninsula towards Singapore. Eventually our heroines they found them selves in Singapore just before it fell - another British disaster. Vivian Bullwinkle’s story is well known - she was the sole survivor of the Banka Island massacre. Although shot in the side as she was force marched into the surf. She survived, her sisters didn’t! Only recently, more evidence has surfaced about that massacre proving the story so poignantly told in Sr Betty Jeffries “White Coolies” was even more horrendous than previously thought. Vivian, for several days, hiding in the jungle, secretly nursed an injured British soldier until he died – only then did she allow herself to become a POW. Had the Japanese known she was a witness to what happened on Banka Island, she would not have been allowed to live. But lived she did – another Australian heroine.
Nancy Wake, Vivian Bullwinkle, Wilma Oram, Betty Jeffries - a few of the so many Australian women who have made significant contributions to our proud history and heritage. These are well known histories.
Perhaps not so well known are Mavis Parkinson and May Hayman. These two Australian women worked in Gona in Papua, at the Anglican Mission. They nursed, educated and tended the local Papuans who they dearly loved, and were loved in return. At the threat of the Japanese invasion, against all advice, they refused to leave. Frances May Hayman – born in Canberra, went to Gona and by 1937 she was in charge of the Medical Centre. With her friend Mavis they shared an ideal of care for the Papuans. In 1942 the threat of invasion was real – advised to leave, they remained. By March 1941 the Japanese seemed invincible in their march south to capture Port Moresby – a stones throw from the rich resources of Australia. After rescuing an American airman they were convinced by him to try to get to Port Moresby before it was too late. Even then, horrific stories were being told about Japanese captivity. So reluctantly they prepared to leave. The Kokoda track, which would figure so prominently in our later history, was a daunting challenge. 240 Kms over the Owen Stanly mountains, with deep ravines , raging torrents, and dense tropical jungle - under good conditions it would take 5 days to reach Moresby. At the last minute they refused to abandon their Papuan people. Two of their companions; Lilla and Margery, and some of their Papuan friends were caught, accused of helping the Australians, and beheaded. It was a frightening, desperate time. May 1942 saw the decisive Battle of the Coral Sea (commemorated on the 1st Sunday in May). The Japanese invasion fleet was defeated. Unable to take Moresby by sea, they decided to come overland - Gona, on the north caost of Papua was to be the entry port. May and Mavis watched as the Japanese fleet entered the shallow Gona harbour. For the next 19 days May and Mavis hid in the jungle. Their fear was extreme – they knew the consequences of being caught.
Together with 2 Australian soldiers and 5 wounded American airmen, they laid plans to cross the Owen Stanleys by a less known track than Kokoda and try to get to Moresby. They braved the torrential rain, the mosquitoes, the poisonous snakes, and after 4 days became hopelessly lost. They narrowly escaped a Japanese patrol, but lost all their water and provisions. A seemingly miracle, that turned out to be otherwise, saw them “found” by a local villager who told them his village was Christian. He betrayed them to the Japanese, and thought he was an angel!.
Taken by the Japanese into the jungle they were forced to dig their own graves. Mavis was bayonetted, gravely wounded, but alive. May was stabbed in the throat and bled to death. They were Australian women who gave their lives in the cause of freedom and care of the wounded Australians and Americans. They are revered to this day at a special memorial at Popondetta near Gona. They are part of our history as a Nation.
The Japanese almost crossed the Kokoda track, but never reached Port Moresby - they were stopped by Australian soldiers (including our own Col McLaurin, buried from this Church only a few years ago). Kokoda is yet another chapter of our incredible history.
All these women: Nancy Wake, Vivien Bullwinkle, Wilma Oram, Matron Drummond, Betty Jefferies, May Hayman, Mavis Parkinson – they are just a few Australian women who have exemplified the ANZAC Spirit. Their stories help forge our ongoing history. They stand beside the thousands who have given us a Nation to be proud of, a Nation of freedom and character, a Nation which carries an unpayable debt of gratitude.
This day marks our history, it is also a day within the Octave of Easter when we commemorate the victory of life over death in the person of the Risen Jesus. Jesus died to save us. Men and women who have been proud to wear the badge “Australian”, likewise died for us: we are in their debt with nought to repay it except our firm resolve to carry on the heritage we are so proud of: a Christian Nation under the one true God.
These, our proud Australians who paid so much, must not die in vain. ANZAC Day reminds us of our duty. They are our heroes and heroines, our heritage. Our future is ours - as Australians we accept their legacy. WE DARE NOT FAIL THEM LEST WE FORGET.
God bless Australia
God bless Australians