The Bundaberg District Women Veterans will lead the Bundaberg Anzac Day Civic Service with this year’s local theme focused on women veterans.
Bundaberg District Women Veterans Vice President and former President Jenny Waldron said the committee was honoured to be leading the service.
“I am thrilled to be invited and proud to represent all the women of all the eras from the Bundaberg District,” Jenny said.
“It is wonderful that this year’s theme is focused on women veterans, as often the service and sacrifice of women who have served since 1899 is overlooked or hardly mentioned in the history of wars, conflicts and peace operations.”
Jenny joined the Australian Army in 1980 following three years in the Army Reserve in Tasmania.
In her 20 years of service, she attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class One and served on peace making operations in Somalia in 1984 and peace operations in Bougainville in 1997/1998.
The Bundaberg District Women Veterans is an association of volunteer women veterans who share the bond of military service and work to enhance the reputation of those who served.
“We are a group of women veterans who have all either served or are currently serving in the Australian and Allied Defence Forces,” Jenny said.
“We were founded by WWII women veterans and among our first members were four WWI nurses.
“We have women from WWII to the current day in our association and we focus on providing wellbeing and social activities for our members.”
Bundaberg District Women Veterans Inc
The association also delivers the annual Anzac Day Service at the heritage-listed War Nurses Memorial Park in Bourbong Street, as well as special events to commemorate the work of war nurses and servicewomen.
“We are the unofficial custodians of War Nurses Memorial Park and work very closely with Bundaberg Regional Council regarding the many enhancement projects we have completed to ensure the park is presented to the community in a manner befitting the service of war nurses,” Jenny said.
Having served as president of The Bundaberg District Women Veterans for the past ten years, Jenny has recently retired from the position this year, taking with her many proud achievements and fond memories.
“Undoubtedly the proudest achievement was completing the major Anzac Centenary Enhancement Project at War Nurses Memorial Park in 2014,” she said.
“This project has transformed the park from a fairly unappreciated and neglected space to a wonderful park to conduct commemorative services but also with amenities for the community to enjoy, particularly those attending the Base Hospital.
“Our last major project was a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Trees project in 2022 which involved planting 23 new trees at War Nurses Park and 10 at Lions Remembrance Park.
“Both these projects have provided a wonderful lasting legacy to the community of Bundaberg and I was extremely proud to undertake both.
“My fondest memory is of the official opening of the new Australian Service Nurses Wall and the Enhancements at War Nurses Memorial Park in 2014, where after about six weeks of very dry weather, it poured with rain on the morning when we had the Governor of Queensland arriving!”
The Bundaberg District Women Veterans have both service and associate members and community members who would like to join or support the association can do so by visiting their website and completing an application form.
Yesterday, I joined the group of people at the War Nurses’ Memorial Park for their ANZAC Day service. Maroon shirts with medals proudly worn were scattered amongst the crowd. While it was an intimate service, my heart filled with pride at the endeavours of the armed forces women – both past and present.
It was pleasing to see the young ladies from BSHS, St Luke’s and our TS Bundaberg Cadets who gave their time to be a part of this morning. The young man who played the trumpet and the lone piper gave haunting performances. Annie, thank you for your address.
I am sure that the spirit of Vivian, her nurses and all the services’ nursing staff who have gone before us were there … and at every service yesterday.
God bless you all…..