The family of a WWII nurse killed by Japanese soldiers in a 1942 massacre have lead calls to name WA’s new Federal electorate after their aunt, rather than the sole survivor of the horror — Vivian Bullwinkel.
Relatives of Toodyay-born Sister Alma Beard, one of 22 Australian nurses killed on Bangka Island in 1942, made a submission to the Australian Electoral Commission to rename the vast seat — which stretches from Perth’s eastern suburbs to Northam — “Beard”.
The Beard family letter was one of dozens that flooded the redistribution process, calling for a name change to the new seat of Bullwinkel — added to WA because of population growth — arguing the previous namesake was not born in the State.
Lieutenant Colonel Bullwinkel, who was a prisoner of war in WWII, was the sole survivor of the Bangka Island massacre in Indonesia, pretending to be dead as 22 colleagues were gunned down around her in the sand.
Nieces and nephews of Sister Beard wrote that while the change would not diminish Lt Col Bullwinkel’s service to WA, it would recognise her strong desire to honour the victims of the massacre.
“We consider naming this Division after Alma Beard would honour the memory of a local victim of a war crime, particularly a nurse, who were so often overlooked for their dedication and service during war.
“Her mother (our grandmother) later received a letter from Vivian Bullwinkel, the sole survivor, telling how Alma’s “brave conduct in her hour of crisis has added lustre to the service which she so nobly carried on”.
“We also think Vivian would be happy to see her friend honoured in such a way. We are Alma’s nieces and nephews, her direct surviving relatives. Aunty Alma’s story has always been an important part of our family history from our childhood and an inspiration to us all.”
A local historian told media at the unveiling of a Toodyay memorial to Sister Beard in 2022 that some of her last words had been to Lt Col Bullwinkel: “Bully, there are two things in life I’ve always hated, the Japanese and the sea, and today I have ended up with them both,” she said.
The family argued Sister Beard had a long family history with the proposed electorate, born in Toodyay in 1913, with her father’s family farming in the area since 1850.
Toodyay local Allan Henshaw wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, providing a copy to the Electoral Commission, supporting the Beard name stating he believed the name “Bullwinkel” had been made in error, and “little or no consideration has been given to a worthy West Australian”.
In a unanimous vote of council, the Shire of Toodyay also backed the renaming push, saying while Lt Col Bullwinkel had an amazing life, she had spent most of her life living and working in the Eastern States only coming to Perth, on marriage, at the age of 62 in 1977.
The campaign was also endorsed by WA Labor and Labor MP Darren West in their objections, but both said “Bullwinkel” was an appropriate name.
Dunsborough woman Angela Boulter suggested a joint name — Hodgson-Beard — acknowledging another nurse killed in the massacre, her great-aunt Minnie Hodgson.
Australian Nursing Federation secretary Janet Reah endorsed the Bullwinkel name, saying it recognised Bullwinkel’s extraordinary contributions as a civilian and military nurse and her dedication to honouring victims of war crimes and serving the nursing community.
Other objections raised concerns about the size of the seat, with farmers worried about losing their voice amongst suburban issues.
“How can a farmer such as myself on the eastern side of the York Shire have the same needs and wants of a city dweller in Midland, Kalamunda or Armadale? Ridiculous,” a man named Nick wrote.
“We have limited voting power as it is with lower population compared to urban voters. Leave the country people alone.”
The proposed electorate — notionally held by the Labor Party on a 3 per cent margin — includes the areas of Roleystone, Kalamunda and Mundaring, as well as Northam, York, Beverley and Toodyay.
The seat has already seen political wrangling, with former State Opposition Leader Mia Davies confirming Nationals in Canberra had approached her to contest the seat.