The team at Billman’s Foundry have done it again – creating an enormous statue of nurse Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel to be placed in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra in recognition of her exceptional military service and her contribution to the development of Australian nursing.
Born in Kapunda, South Australia, Vivian trained as a nurse in Broken Hill. At the age of 25 she enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service and was posted to the 13th Australian General Hospital in Malaya which was then moved to Singapore Island. After the evacuation of nursing staff, patients, women and children Vivian found herself onboard the SS Vyner Brooke which was sunk by Japanese aircraft.
Vivian drifted for hours, clinging to a lifeboat, before coming ashore on Banka Island. Japanese troops arrived on the island and ordered 22 nurses into the sea where they fired on them. Vivian, struck by a bullet and feigning her death was the only survivor.
Upon returning to the beach she found a wounded British soldier who she hid with and cared for until he died 12 days later after which Vivian surrendered and was held captive for three and a half years.
After retiring from the army in 1947 Vivian went on to become the Director of Nursing at Melbourne’s Fairfield Hospital. She devoted herself to nursing and honouring those killed on Banka Island, raising funds for a nurses’ memorial, and serving as a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial, and later President of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia.
The three metre tall sculpture in honour of Vivian designed by Dr Charles Robb will be the first depiction of an individual woman or nurse on the grounds.
The team at Billman’s Foundry spent more than 340 hours completing and putting together 18 sections of the statue which has been sent to the Australian War Memorial to be unveiled on August 2.
Production Manager Travis Billman said their foundry is the only one in Australia able to work on such large scale.
“Dad started the business 40 years ago and it’s a bit of a lost trade really. He’s passed the skills down to us, whereas most places stopped training young people to work on loose moulds,” said Daniel who bought the foundry with his brother Travis earlier this year.
“We make the moulds from sand and then burn it to harden before pouring molten bronze of 1250 degrees,” explained Daniel.
The list of jobs the foundry has worked on since its inception in the late 70s is enormous and statues and fountains produced right here in Castlemaine can be found right across Australia.
According to Daniel and Travis the first big job their dad completed was a pair of gates for the President of Singapore back in the late 80s. Since then, the foundry has produced numerous Chaffey Fountains, giant whales, flamingos, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Daniel’s favourite – a Peter Brock Memorial.
The winners of our 2023 Castlemaine Mail Trivia Trail promotion were officially drawn last Friday July 7.
The innovative new shop local campaign encouraged our loyal Mail readers and digital subscribers to hunt for local trivia clues throughout the Mount Alexander Shire over the 10 week promotion and submit their weekly entry form to be in the running to win vouchers to spend at our 19 fantastic participating businesses.
The final question quizzed readers about what birthday milestone our long running publication, previously known as the Mount Alexander Mail, will celebrate in 2024. The answer being our 170th!
We are excited to announce that the winner of the $1000 prize was Pam Docherty who has spread her spend over eight of the 19 participating local businesses.
We also had 4 x $250 winners. They were Lois Barry, Karen Caval, Joan Cox, and David Paull.
Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to all those who took the time to enter the competition.
Thanks also to all the wonderful local businesses which featured in this year’s promotion including: Beehave, Hot ‘n’ Crusty, Maldon Newsagency, Extremity Castlemaine, Mulberrys Delicatessen, PETStock Castlemaine, Maine Shoes & Accessories, Wesley Hill Bakery, Greenaway Bins, Midland Pet Supplies, Clifford Quality Cuts, Mensland Castlemaine, PJ’s Tyres, Top End Technology, Cumberland Hotel, Castlemaine IGA, Lyal Eales Stores, Chapman’s Framing and Photography and Stocks Gifts & Gallery/Ivy & Grace.
A good number of shooters turned out on the Castlemaine Rifle Range to contest the first stage of the club’s 2023 to 2024 championship on Saturday.
Shooting was over the shorter distances of 300, 500 and 600 yards with seven scoring shots at each range for a total from 21 scoring shots. Conditions were fairly pleasant with only a light southeast breeze that increased in strength at times causing shooters to lose points.
At 300 yards in Target Rifle, Chris Jolme scored 3402 to lead Richard Ruddick with 33.1. In F Class, Greg Brown shot 40.2 followed by James Dolphin and Darren Ward both on 37.0. In F Open, Tony Skinner shot well scoring 42.4 with Jamie Griffin next with 40.2.
The next round was from the 500-yard mound. In Target Rifle, Richard Ruddick shot a ‘possible’ being 35.1 with with Chris Jolme scoring 31.1. Greg Brown shot 41.1 in F Class followed by Darren Trevena with 38.2 in F Open. The best score was 40.2 from Tony Skinner followed by Malcolm Laurence with 37.1.
The final range was 600 yards. Chris Jolme scored 30.1 to lead Richard Ruddick on 30.0 in Target Rifle. In F Class, Greg Brown and Darren Trevena both scored 97.1 followed by Toula Ward with 36.6. The best score in F Open was 40.4 again from Tony Skinner with Dan McColl next with 39.2.
Final results saw Richard Ruddick win Target Rifle with 98.2 from Chris Jolme with 95.4. Chris won the handicap from Richard. Greg Brown won F Class with 118.4 from Darren Trevena with 111.4. Darren Ward won the handicap from Toula Ward. Tony Skinner was the winner in F Open scoring 122.10 with Jamie next with 113.2. Jamie won the handicap from Phil Smith.
There are another seven rounds of the championship to determine the club champions in each grade. Round two is scheduled for August 6 to be shot over 500 and 600 yards.
This Saturday is the club’s Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm.
For more on this sport of big bore rifle shooting call the captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.
