On Sunday, the 13th of February, a number of our senior students represented Mercedes College at the Toodyay Returned & Services League memorial service, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Vyner Brooke tragedy. Accompanied by Ms Bernadette Dell and Mr Patrick White, the service honoured Alma Beard, a former student from one of the Colleges that combined to form Mercedes, who died in this sad event.
Born in 1913, Alma grew up in Toodyay before attending Our Ladies College. After completing her schooling, Alma trained as a nurse, and enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service. In September 1941, she deployed to Malaya for service in World War II. Amidst the fall of Singapore in 1942, Alma was aboard the SS Vyner Brooke, a ship evacuating nurses, wounded servicemen and civilians away from Singapore. Aircraft later attacked and sunk the Vyner Brooke, despite the ship sailing under the Red Cross flag. Alma was one of twenty-two nurses who made it to shore, but were later murdered by Japanese soldiers when they attempted to surrender.
Year 12 students Zoe Fenner and Aliyah Gelmi responded to a request from the RSL to video the service. Year 10 students Stefanie Scott and Amelia Vinciullo photographed the event. Volunteers from Year 11 participated in several parts of the ceremony. Lottie Berinson and Renata Palmero were flag bearers in the opening procession, which bore flags for each of the fallen nurses and placing them at the memorial. Mia Gurbiel and Sophi Steel presented a wreath of wildflowers honouring Alma and symbolising her country childhood in Toodyay. During the presentation of ‘Rosemary for Remembrance’, Keira Madaffari and Neve McAlister laid sprigs on behalf of the Mercedes community.
On Wednesday, the 16th February Toodyay RSL unveiled a monument commemorating Alma’s life of service and her tragically early death. It is located at the Alma Beard Medical Center, named in her honour. Renata Palermo and Sophi Steel represented Mercedes College at this event. The Toodyay RSL is one of the groups who have been providing us with additional information about Alma. We will be sharing this story with the community over the coming weeks as we approach Anzac Day, and recognise the sacrifice and dedication of our service women and men.
