Sister Viv

Grantlee Kieza

Apr 2024 · Bolinda · Narrated by Brigid Gallacher

Audiobook

10 hr 37 min

Unabridged

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About this audiobook

Bangka Island, 1942. Vivian Bullwinkel was just 26 when Japanese soldiers marched her and her fellow nurses into the shallow waters of a remote beach to be executed. Miraculously, Vivian would be the lone survivor – and she committed the rest of her life to an exceptional career caring for others. The lieutenant-colonel would also be the first woman to be honoured with a statue at the Australian War Memorial – a country girl who became one of the highest ranking women in the Australian army. When Japanese forces attacked Singapore, Vivian and 64 other nurses were ordered to evacuate, but soon their ship was bombed by enemy aircraft. Somehow, Vivian lived, and for the next three and a half years she was a prisoner of war in brutal Japanese camps where she helped others survive the horror. When peace was restored, Vivian became a giant of Australian nursing – and a key driver of Operation Babylift. For her extraordinary bravery and service, Vivian was awarded numerous honours, but she never forgot her fallen colleagues, living her life in tribute to them.

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About the author

Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Grantlee Kieza OAM held senior editorial positions at The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Courier-Mail for many years and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his writing. He is a Walkley Award finalist and the author of more than 20 acclaimed books, including the bestsellers Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Flinders, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross, Bert Hinkler, Sister Viv and Mary Penfold. His latest work is Ellen Savage and the Heroes of AHS Centaur (2026).

Brigid Gallacher is an Australian actor and director who has appeared across film, television and on stage. She held the roles of Annie and Mary in the national tour of Lamb, and also appeared in series Secret Bridesmaids’ Business and Summer Heights High. Brigid has previously narrated The Silence Between Us by Oceane Campbell and Cécile Barral, and Victoria Hannan’s Marshmallow.

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