The indispensable in focus

WIND and Sky Productions will create a documentary and digital exhibition to mark the eighty-year anniversary of the Second Word War.

The project, Indispensable, is set to put the stories of Australian women in the spotlight who served in east and southeast Asia between 1945 and 1955 as nurses or Red Cross volunteers.

Individuals who made a major contribution within the defence force or in a support role will be profiled. The project will also cover women’s experience post-war, including those who migrated to Australia as the domestic partners of servicemen, and how that boosted the country’s multiculturalism.

“This funding enables us to tell this little-known Australian story and we are so excited to have this opportunity,” said Wind and Sky Productions producer Lucinda Horrocks.

“Plus, we get to explore the fascinating experiences of women. We are looking forward to finding out why they joined up, what motivated them, and what their experiences were.”

Contributors to the project will include Red Cross Australia archivists, Returned Nurses RSL Victoria sub-branch members, Royal Historical Society of Victoria researchers, and others.

“Projects like this are special because of the organisations we collaborate with in our storytelling,” Horrocks said.

Australian Red Cross field force member Maureen White, who wore this very uniform, will be featured as part of the project.

“With Indispensable, I’m greatly looking forward to working internationally through Red Cross networks in Korea, Japan and Britain.”

Fellow producer Jary Nemo said the period between the Second World War and Vietnam War has drawn little focus.

“This is an opportunity to expand on a period of rapid political and cultural change in Australia and its close neighbours,” he said.

The final product will be a online platform with multiple digital stories and a short 10-to-15-minute documentary that will be free for organisations like schools and museums to use.

The project has been allocated $140,000 from the Federal Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.

“Women’s stories are often relegated to the background despite their significant contribution to our nation in times of conflict,” said Member for Ballarat Catherine King.

“This innovative project makes their stories accessible and ensures they are remembered for decades to come.

“Congratulations to Lucinda, Jary and everyone involved in this project, and thank you for preserving these important stories that helped to shape our nation.”

Indispensable is one of 91 projects awarded Saluting Their Service grants this time.