Nurse Bear

"Nurse Bear" - is a soft pink/salmon coloured bear, with fully jointed limbs. Made from the softest plush, she is the cutest bear we have produced. She is approximately 39 cm tall, and is dressed in typical nurse uniform, including red cape, grey tunic with white collar, and white veil.  She has a rising sun badge at the collar of her dress, which can be removed if so desired.  She has been manufactured to our usual high standard, and as indicative with all our bears, the ear-tag she wears summarises the theme of the bear - our Nurses.

Our "Nurse Bear" serves to highlight the achievements and qualities of the many Australian women who have served or continue to serve their country as Nurses, in an accessible way.   As always considerable time was expended researching the details for the finished product, resulting in another high quality collectable bear.  

Nurses attached to Australia’s military forces have shared the perils faced by our armed forces personnel in each conflict Australia has been involved in.  Known as the Australian Army Nursing Service until 1951, nurses were not incorporated into the strength of the Australian Military Forces until 1943.  Prior to that date, they had operated as a civilian reserve of the Australian Army Medical Corps.  During the first overseas conflict in which Australians were engaged, the Boer War in South Africa, over 40 civilian nurses saw service.  At the outbreak of World War 1, many women exhibited the same patriotic fervour and thirst for adventure displayed by our fighting forces, and trained nurses quickly volunteered.  During this conflict, over 3,000 strong willed and dedicated women volunteered to care for our troops, both in preparation for battle, and in treating the wounded. Many saw service very close to the front line.

They were exemplary in their courage and in their performance of their many-faceted role of care giver, surgical aide, and valuable link to home for often horrifically injured men.  In many cases their own husbands or sweethearts were fighting nearby. These compassionate ladies also took on the onerous task of writing many ‘last letters’ to the loved ones of their patients.  Again in WWII, dedicated nurses accompanied our forces to all theatres of war, often caught up in the consequences of daring to extend their care to those on the very point of battle.  They were subjected to many atrocities at the hands of the enemy in the Pacific conflict, and many were also imprisoned for lengthy periods in callous conditions.  Throughout, they maintained their courage and empathy, and were greatly respected and admired by all.  Since WWII they have continued to exhibit these qualities in conflicts like Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East, and offer a shining example of Australian women wherever they serve in conjunction with combat and Peace-keeping roles.