The Sisters of War design is a tribute to the women who served with courage, compassion, and resilience alongside Australian forces, often in the most challenging and dangerous conditions. Centred around the message “The Unsung Heroes,” the artwork reflects the vital role women have played in Australia’s military history, particularly through nursing and medical service.

Set against a soft, monochrome landscape, the design captures quiet, human moments rather than scenes of conflict. Silhouetted figures of nurses and serviceman appear across both the front and back, representing care, loss, and strength. These scenes echo the experiences of Australian Army nurses who served in conflicts from the Boer War through both World Wars and into more recent operations. During World War I, nurses worked in casualty clearing stations and hospital ships under constant pressure, often close to the front lines. In World War II, many were deployed across the Pacific, including in Singapore, where some became prisoners of war and endured years of hardship while continuing to care for others.

The composition reflects these stories through understated imagery—figures standing in reflection, tending to the wounded, and supporting one another. It is a design that focuses not on battle, but on humanity, recognising the strength required to heal, comfort, and endure.

At the centre of the design sits the red poppy, paired with the words Sisters of War. The poppy remains one of the most recognised symbols of remembrance across Australia and Commonwealth nations, originating from the battlefields of the Western Front during World War I. It represents sacrifice, memory, and renewal—standing in contrast to the softer tones of the artwork and anchoring the message of remembrance.

The presence of the red cross further highlights the medical role these women carried. Universally recognised as a symbol of care and humanitarian aid, it reflects the work of nurses who operated in field hospitals, evacuation units, and transport ships, often under extreme conditions and with limited resources. Their role was not only clinical, but deeply human—providing comfort, dignity, and hope in times of crisis.

Also featured is the badge of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (officially licensed by Tribute Collective), representing the formal recognition of military nursing service within Australia’s armed forces. Established in the early 20th century, the Corps has been central to Australia’s military medical support, with its members serving across numerous conflicts and peacekeeping missions. The badge itself symbolises professionalism, dedication, and the enduring contribution of women in uniform.

Altogether, the Sisters of War design is a respectful and considered tribute, that honours the quiet strength of those who served not on the front line of combat, but on the front line of care. It recognises their sacrifices, their resilience, and their lasting place in Australia’s military history.