In 2027, from 6 to 19 February, the ACN Foundation is funding two study travel scholarships, each valued at $5,000* per person, to support participation in the Bullwinkel History Study Tour – Indonesia.
The tour will conclude on Bangka Island on Friday, 19 February, with participants departing to the airport for onward connections.
History, nursing and culture intertwine throughout this significant journey to South East Asia, commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Bangka Island massacre and honouring the legacy of Vivian Bullwinkel and the Australian Army nurses who served with courage and sacrifice during the Second World War.
Through visiting places of historical and cultural significance, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of the Bangka Island nurses, the extraordinary resilience of Vivian Bullwinkel, and the enduring legacy of Australian Army nursing. The journey provides an opportunity to reflect on the values of leadership, service, courage and remembrance, while honouring those who lost their lives and those whose stories continue to inspire generations of nurses.
The approximate cost of the tour is:
- AUD $5,860 per person when sharing a room
- AUD $7,224 per person for a single room
Applications open and will close 11:59pm AEST Sunday, 13 September 2026.
Value of scholarship
*The scholarship is valued at $5,000 per person. Any costs above this amount, including the additional cost of a shared room or single room, international flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, visas, meals not included in the itinerary and other personal expenses, are the responsibility of the scholarship recipient.
The tour cost includes:
- 13 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels, and in more remote areas, the best accommodation available
- The services of tour leader Jo Grey and ACN President Group Captain Kath Stein
- The services of local English-speaking national guides throughout
- Comprehensive briefing notes
- A full program of tours and specialist visits as per the itinerary
- Breakfast daily and other meals as indicated on the itinerary
- All transport during the tour, including flights from Singapore to Jakarta and Jakarta to Bangka Island
- Admission fees, tips and taxes
The tour cost excludes:
- International flights and transfers on arrival and departure
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks with meals
- Optional excursions, tours and visits
- Personal extras such as porterage, laundry and inoculation fees
- Travel insurance and visas
For more information on the tour, please visit the Jon Baines Tours website.
Proposed itinerary
A proposed schedule outlining the planned activities, sessions, and timings. Please note that details are subject to change.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a current Fellow or Member of ACN and have held membership for the last three consecutive years.
- Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
- Be able to undertake the tour from 6 to 19 February 2027.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received an ACN Study Tour Scholarship.
Applicants will be asked to provide two professional references. The ACN selection committee may contact these referees as part of the assessment process for the scholarship.
Documents required
- Current Passport Copy
- Current CV (detailing professional achievements in a clinical, education, leadership, or academic setting within the past two years)
- Current AHPRA nurse registration
- A letter from your employer confirming their support to attend the program
Selection criteria
The scholarships will be awarded to the applicants who can best demonstrate how this study tour will meet one or more of the following objectives:
- How will participating in the Vivian Bullwinkel History Study Tour support your current clinical practice, professional capacity and capability, and/or nurse leadership development?
- What do you hope to achieve through the study tour, and how will you maximise the opportunity to achieve these outcomes?
- Describe your plan for applying and sharing the knowledge and insights gained from the study tour within your workplace, professional networks and/or the broader
Applicants need to be able to demonstrate in their responses to the selection questions:
a) an ability to maximise the opportunity of the activity
b) capacity to share knowledge within their own networks and the broader nursing environment
Applications
Applications open and will close 11:59pm AEST Sunday, 13 September 2026.
