Two Australian war nurses have been permanently commemorated in their local Victorian shire ahead of ANZAC Day, with the unveiling of bronze busts honouring their service and sacrifice during World War II.

Bronze busts of Oxley Shire nurses Sister Dorothy ‘Bud’ Elmes and Sister Caroline ‘Carrie’ Ennis were officially unveiled on 28 March 2026 at Oxley Memorial Park, creating a lasting memorial to two women whose lives were lost during the war. Sisters Elmes and Ennis were among 65 Australian nurses evacuated from Singapore aboard the SS Vyner Brooke, which was bombed by Japanese aircraft on 14 February 1942.

More than 300 people attended the unveiling ceremony, including ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler (pictured above with members of the 33 Army Cadet Unit Wangaratta), and Colonel Jan McCarthy who served as a nurse in the Vietnam War and became Matron-in-Chief in 1988.  A commemorative address was delivered by ex-Group Captain Kath Stein, former Director of Defence Force Nursing and current President of the Australian College of Nursing.

“Remembrance must be visible,” said Independent Federal Member for Indi and registered nurse Dr Helen Haines who spoke at the commemorative event. “They were young, highly trained and deeply committed to their calling. For too long, women’s stories—especially those of regional Australians—have been under-represented. These busts stand alongside other memorials in our region, breaking the bronze ceiling and ensuring the contribution of nurses is seen and remembered.”

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