This year will mark some dark moments in our recent history. Seventy years ago, today, on 19 February 1942, saw the WW2 bombing of Darwin in two separate raids, resulting in more than 240 people being killed, and hundreds more injured.
All around Australia people will be passing this anniversary in various ways. For my part, I will be remembering those who died or were injured defending our country – and the many, many civilians who were – and are always - inevitably caught up in the conflict.There are enduring costs to every war: it is important that we acknowledge the physical - and emotional sacrifice - of those who serve our country, both past and present. Those who survive conflict often carry scars. And it can be the invisible, emotional scars which run the deepest.
There is strong evidence that those who have served in conflict zones are significantly more likely to suffer from poor mental health than the general population. And this can ripple out, seriously affecting their partners and family members. As a nation we owe our veterans, and their families, the care and support they need to deal with these effects. It’s only right. We accept their service on our behalf. We must care properly for them when they return.
This past week also saw another, less well known, anniversary which I find particularly moving. Bangka Day commemorates 22 Australian nurses who survived the sinking of the SS Vyner Brooke, which was fleeing the fall of Singapore. They made it to shore on Bangka Island and surrendered. But on the morning of 16 February 1942, Japanese officers directed them to wade into the sea and shot them in the back.
Only one young nurse, Vivian Bullwinkel, survived. After 3½ years as a prisoner of war she returned to Australia and went on to have an illustrious nursing career and receive many awards for her community service.
Her resilience, and the shining courage and spirit of the 21 nurses who were lost to us, is celebrated in Ian W Shaw’s book, “On Radji Beach” and commemorated by the South Australian Women’s Memorial Playing Fields in St Mary’s, Adelaide.
War is horrendous. We know that. These commemorative fields, bordered by gum trees and echoing with parrot and magpie song, are a perfect place to pause and remember the Bangka nurses and the many wonderful women who have served Australia in times of conflict.
They are also a fitting place to contemplate what more we can all do - as individuals, communities and nations - to work for peace and conflict resolution to avoid the kinds of events we will be remembering throughout this year.
We must remember. Lest we forget.
