Sister Irene Singleton, a nurse who survived the World War 2 Bangka Island Massacre, will be remembered at a special talk by Arlene Bennett, president of the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre, at Maffra Library, on Monday 21 June.

Irene Singleton was born in Riverslea, near Maffra, and a historic mosaic dedicated to the memory of Singleton is mounted on the wall of Maffra Library.  

On what would have been Singleton’s birthday, Ms Bennett will discuss her life as a WWII nurse, the bombing of her ship the SS Vyner Brook, her survival of the Bangka Island Massacre on Sumatra, and her death in a prisoner-of-war camp.  

“Sister Irene Singleton’s story is one of courage and service that needs to be told,” Wellington Shire Council Mayor Garry Stephens said.  

“And the intricate hand-cut mosaic of her is a work of art worthy of a story itself,” Cr Stephens said.  

Ms Bennett chairs the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre’s History & Heritage Committee and is an active member of the Friends of Banka Island Committee.

The talk will be held at Maffra Library,150 Johnson St, Maffra, at 1.30pm on Monday 21 June. Afternoon tea will be provided. To reserve your place, call Maffra Library on (03) 5147 1052.

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