ACN Foundation

ACN Foundation Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Foundation is a registered charity that raises funds to provide scholarships and project funding for nurses.

The Bullwinkel Scholars Program exists to support nurses who are ready to lead change. By funding leadership development...
02/06/2026

The Bullwinkel Scholars Program exists to support nurses who are ready to lead change. By funding leadership development and learning opportunities, the program helps nurses strengthen their capability, advocate for patients and contribute to safer, better care across Australia.

Annette Bezzant’s passion for nursing began when she was just seven years old, watching the nurses who cared for her father during his battle with brain cancer. To Annette, those nurses were “angels” — and they inspired her lifelong commitment to caring for others. Through the Bullwinkel Scholarship, Annette was able to grow as a leader and deepen her impact in chronic and complex disease care. This EOFY, your donation can help create more opportunities for nurses like Annette.

Donate today: buff.ly/eDfvwRE

This End of Financial Year, your tax-deductible donation can help fund the Bullwinkel Scholars Program — an ACN Foundati...
30/05/2026

This End of Financial Year, your tax-deductible donation can help fund the Bullwinkel Scholars Program — an ACN Foundation initiative honouring Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel and the 21 Australian nurses massacred on Bangka Island during the Second World War. The program supports nurses to build advanced leadership capability, strengthen their voice and bring new knowledge back to Australian health care.

For Bullwinkel Scholar Annette Bezzant MACN, this support was transformative. While preparing her scholarship application, Annette was also caring for her mother in the final months of dementia, drawing strength from her mother’s resilience and Vivian Bullwinkel’s legacy of courage. Your gift can help more nurses like Annette learn, lead and improve care for patients and communities.

Donate today: buff.ly/eDfvwRE

Join us in Melbourne for a special screening of The Bullwinkel Project Documentary. This powerful documentary honours th...
29/05/2026

Join us in Melbourne for a special screening of The Bullwinkel Project Documentary.

This powerful documentary honours the legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel and the nurses of the Bangka Island massacre, sharing an important story of courage, service and remembrance.

Wednesday 5 August 2026
3:00 pm
Australian Nurses Memorial Centre
Fawkner Towers, 11/431 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004

Proudly supported by the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre, this event is an opportunity to reflect on the strength, sacrifice and enduring impact of Australian nurses past, present and future.

Reserve your attendance via our website here https://buff.ly/F5kQnmb

Expressions of Interest are now open for The Journey of Vivian Bullwinkel Nursing History Tour in February 2027.This spe...
29/05/2026

Expressions of Interest are now open for The Journey of Vivian Bullwinkel Nursing History Tour in February 2027.

This special commemorative nursing journey will mark the 85th anniversary of the Bangka Island Massacre, offering participants the opportunity to remember, reflect and honour Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel and the nurses who died at Radji Beach.

Led by Australian College of Nursing President Group Captain Kath Stein FACN, the guided tour will travel through South East Asia, including Radji Beach, tracing key moments in the life, service and enduring legacy of Vivian Bullwinkel.

Tour highlights include visits to significant sites, hospitals and museums, concluding at the 85th Anniversary of the Bangka Island Massacre and the Bangka Island Memorial Service on 16 February at Bangka Island.

Places are limited.

To submit your Expression of Interest, email [email protected]

Proudly supported by Jon Baines Tours.

Further information to come.

The ACN Foundation is proud to support nurses from our neighbouring Pacific Island nations through the provision of two ...
28/05/2026

The ACN Foundation is proud to support nurses from our neighbouring Pacific Island nations through the provision of two ACN Pacific Island Nations Nurse Scholarships.

Scholarship recipients Mrs Losena Adimaimua from Fiji and Ms Ana Koliniwai from the Marshall Islands travelled to Melbourne to further their professional development and contribute to strengthening healthcare outcomes within their communities.

This marks the third cohort from the region to complete the Institute of Leadership Nurse Executive Leadership Program, reflecting the ACN Foundation’s ongoing commitment to developing nursing leadership across the Pacific.

Thank you to our donors for their support of our life-changing programs.

Great to see our ACN Foundation scholarship recipients attending the Nurse Director Leadership Program 2026 in Melbourne...
26/05/2026

Great to see our ACN Foundation scholarship recipients attending the Nurse Director Leadership Program 2026 in Melbourne last week.

This dynamic six-month program empowers experienced nurses to lead change, strengthen workplace cultures, and develop high-performing teams through innovation, mentoring, and professional development.

Participants gain valuable support and guidance from nurse leaders across Australia, equipping them with the skills and confidence to create positive change within their workplaces and communities.

Designed for registered nurses with more than six years of professional experience, the program supports both emerging and established leaders to grow their leadership capability and drive meaningful impact in healthcare.

A sincere thank you to our supporters and donors for making these opportunities possible for nurses across Australia.
More support for nurses. Better health outcomes for our communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday 17 May at Tattersall’s Club Brisbane for the Australian College of Nursing...
21/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday 17 May at Tattersall’s Club Brisbane for the Australian College of Nursing Foundation’s International Nurses Day Charity Luncheon.

It was wonderful to come together with nurses, healthcare leaders, supporters, guests and friends of the ACN Foundation for an elegant afternoon celebrating the International Nurses Day 2026 theme: Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.

Guests enjoyed a beautiful two-course lunch, welcome drink on arrival, exciting auction and raffle prizes, and a fantastic afternoon of entertainment. Thank you also to our valued event sponsors HESTA, Guild Insurance and Bank First for helping make this special day possible.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was our inspiring nurse leader panel, where the audience connected deeply with our speakers and asked thoughtful questions about the nursing profession, women’s and community health, leadership, education, and the important role nurses play in shaping healthier communities.

We extend our sincere thanks to our venue sponsor, Tattersall’s Club, and to fashion brands SFH Designs - Fashion / Events / Décor and Anannasa for delivering an incredible fashion show. We are also grateful to veterinarian and singer Dr Kat Lovell for her amazing performance and for getting the audience involved.

We are especially grateful to our event host Liz Murrihy, our panel speakers Arun Thomas MACN JP, Australian College of Nursing Acting CEO, Dr Zachary Byfield MACN, Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan FACN and Major Bree Looker MACN, and to everyone who generously bid, donated and supported the event.

Funds raised will support the Bullwinkel Scholars Program, providing life-changing leadership development and education opportunities to 22 Australian nurses.

Thank you for celebrating nurses, investing in their future, and helping us continue Vivian Bullwinkel’s extraordinary legacy.

Address

1 Napier Close
Deakin, VIC
2600

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611800061660

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