Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel has become the first woman to have a statue at the Australian War Memorial. 

It has taken 81 years to recognise Vivian in her service, not only in her role as a nurse in the Banka Island massacre but also as the first female to serve on the council of the Australian War Memorial.

“She was a pioneer…She was determined with every aspect of her service,” said Matt Anderson, Director of the AWM.