Australian Biography Series - Nancy Bird Walton (Study Guide)

Synopsis

In the early 1930s, aviation was opening up Australia and Nancy Bird began taking flying lessons at Charles Kingsford Smith’s Flying School in Mascot. In 1934, she became the youngest commercially licensed female pilot in the British Commonwealth. The following year, she logged the fastest time between Melbourne and Adelaide. Nancy became known as the ‘Angel of the Outback’ for her work with the Far West Children’s Health Scheme. She flew many hours in her Leopard Moth, operating the first aerial baby clinic and aerial charter services. During World War Two, she became Commandant, Women’s Air Training Corps, and in 1950 she founded the Australian  Women Pilots' Association. Nancy received the OBE in 1966 and the Order of Australia in 1990. She published two books: Born to Fly and My God! It’s a Woman.

Curriculum Links

This program will have interest and relevance for teachers and students at middle to senior secondary and tertiary levels. Curriculum links include Australian History, Women’s Studies, Contemporary Australian Society, SOSE/HSIE and English.