TWO roads around Defence Headquarters in Russell Offices, Canberra, now bear the names of Australian heroes of WW2.

Defence Secretary Allan Hawke and CDF Adm Chris Barrie paid tribute in December to Lt-Col Vivian Bullwinkel and Capt Reg Saunders by naming the roads and unveiling commemorative plaques in their honour.

Lt-Col Bullwinkel was a nursing sister who survived a Japanese massacre in Malaya and spent the remaining war years in various internment camps caring for the ill and wounded.

During her long and distinguished medical career she received many honours including the MBE, Order of Australia and Florence Nightingale Medal.

Adm Barrie said Lt-Col Bullwinkel epitomised the courage, endurance and sacrifice of Australia's wartime nurses.

"Today is an occasion where we can honour Vivian's contribution to the Australian Defence Force," he said.

"Sister Bullwinkel passed away in July 2000 and, although Australia is a lesser place for this, her memory will live on in the hearts of many Australians."

Dr Hawke described Capt Saunders, the first Aboriginal soldier to be commissioned into the Australian Army, as a soldier in peace and war.

"Reg came from a warrior heritage - he fought for his country in time of war and his people in time of peace with the same unswerving passion and devotion to duty," he said.

"He was a great leader and an exceptional Australian whose place in both Australian and Aboriginal history can never be diminished by time."