Cronulla RSL Honours Remarkable Legacy: Unveils Podcast Celebrating the Life of Beryl Bonfield
Cronulla RSL are excited to be recognising the extraordinary story of World War II Veteran & Founding Matron of the Sutherland Hospital, the late Beryl Bonfield.
In an effort to celebrate her life and achievements, Cronulla RSL has undertaken extensive research to uncover the remarkable story of Beryl Bonfield and have created an insightful and heartfelt episode of the Club’s podcast, ‘Friends by The Beach’. The two-part episode delves into the various chapters of Bonfield’s life, showcasing her postings with various Australian General Hospitals in Palestine, Egypt, New Guinea, Borneo & Japan (including involvement in the Japanese War Crimes Trial). As well as, her fascinating journey from the United Kingdom to Australia in a Proctor III airplane in 1949 (with wooden wings, one engine and storage space for only 40 gallons of petrol) and her unwavering commitment to the nursing community.
“She was an amazing lady, Beryl Bonfield's legacy extends far beyond her years of service. Her story is incredible, and we were determined to shed light on her inspiring journey, from her time in Marble Bar to her retirement in Cronulla. The goal of the podcast was to capture the essence of her strength and the impact she had on our Sutherland Shire Community” said Cronulla RSL Community Projects Manager, Natalie Hawkins.
“Her story is incredible, and we were determined to shed light on her inspiring journey, from her time in Marble Bar to her retirement in Cronulla. ”
The production of the podcast involved meticulous research by both a team at Cronulla RSL & Stan Grimshaw (Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch’s memorabilia officer), drawing on archival materials, press clippings and heartfelt anecdotes from those who were fortunate enough to know Beryl Bonfield professionally.
What sets this project apart is the concerted effort to bring together individuals who were directly influenced by Beryl Bonfield. Nurses who served under her leadership during the Hospital’s formative years came together to share their experiences, providing a unique perspective on her management style and the compassionate care she instilled in her team. Former Sutherland Hospital nurses Robyn Price, Thelma Halyard, Kay Davison, Sandra Jackson, Barbara Hampton, Jennifer Melbourne, Dianne Cooper and Denise Kirby recall Beryl’s passion for healthcare in the podcast.
One of the most remarkable outcomes of the development of podcast is the discovery of long-lost family members, who have been reunited with Beryl’s story.
“The Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch received Beryl’s medals and other awards after her passing, through her estate. It was assumed that they were provided to the Sub-Branch because there were no living relatives. However, as part of our research, we made a deep dive into ancestry.com and took a chance by reaching out to a distant relative of Beryl. We struck gold and discovered that she had a niece, nephews and grandnieces located in Sydney’s northern suburbs” said Natalie.
Members of the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch, Cronulla RSL Directors, representatives from Sutherland Hospital and relatives of Berly Bonfield will be coming together for the first time on Monday 4th December at Cronulla RSL, to celebrate the launch of the podcast episode and unveil a special tribute which will be on display in the Club, in honour of Beryl. Members and guests can view Beryl’s timeline and military medals, of level 2 of the Club over the next two months. The podcast, produced by Emma Duxbury (ED Media Manaagement), will be available on the Cronulla RSL website, spotify, apple podcast & google podcast from December 4th.
In an era where stories like Beryl's may fade with time, Cronulla RSL is committed to preserving and celebrating the legacies of those who have left an indelible mark on the community.
Listen to Cronulla RSL’s Podcast ‘Friends by The Beach’, Beryl Bonfield episode, from December 4th