What is RSL Life Care? Find out
Shirley-McLaren-OAM | RSL LifeCare - provide care and service to war veterans, retirement villages and accommodation, aged care services and assisted living
January 27, 2021

RSL LifeCare congratulates Shirley McLaren OAM on her Australia Day honour for service to veterans and their families, and to the community

The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 led to the reformation of the three women’s services, which had been disbanded at the end of World War II.

In 1951 Shirley was one of 50 women accepted into the first intake of the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) and moved onto RAAF Base Richmond NSW for four weeks training.

As a qualified drill instructor Shirley trained approximately 270 WRAAF recruits.

A very big milestone for me came in 2006 when we were awarded the Australian Defence Medal after a long, hard battle,
Shirley McLaren.

Shirley become the senior NCO in charge of the WRAAF stationed at RAAF Fairbairn in Canberra, but also spent time at Williamtown (NSW), Point Cook (VIC), RAAF Base Amberly (Qld) and Glenbrook (NSW).

Shirley has many happy memories of her time in the women’s services. She loved the comradeship and lifetime friendships she formed. As Patron of the Sydney WRAAF Shirley regularly attends the NSW State ex-WRAAF reunions and has proudly led the e-WRAAF in every Anzac Day March in Sydney for more than 30 years.

Fight for the Australian Defence Medal

Aside from social gatherings, Shirley has kept loyal to her fellow servicewomen by fighting for the Australian Defence Medal recognising their service to the country.

“A very big milestone for me came in 2006 when we were awarded the Australian Defence Medal after a long, hard battle,” Shirley said.

“It was a battle to have the federal government recognise our service to Australia. In March 2004 the government announced they were awarding the ADM to all ex-servicemen and women if they had served for six years.

“I was totally outraged at this. Our service was for four years and WRAAF, WRAAC (Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps) and WRANS (Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service) would have been denied the recognition I felt we deserved.”

Shirley spent a great deal of time writing to ministers, newspapers, defence members, WRAAF husbands, federal and local members of parliament to take up the fight.

In June 2006 all ex-servicewomen who had completed their four-year service were awarded the ADF Medal.”

Shirley now wears her ADF Medal with pride and it will be shining on her chest again this Anzac Day.

Shirley is now happily ensconced at RSL ANZAC Village, Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches. She is the coordinator of the ex-services women at the Village, in addition to patron of the Sydney WRAAF, an RSL Sub-branch ‘Angel’ and Coordinator of the War Widows Guild’s Northern Beaches Social Club.

She is also the recipient of a Chief of Air Force Gold Commendation award, had the honour of presenting a medal at the Invictus Games and appeared on the TV programme ‘Old People’s Home for 4 year- olds. She is pictured here with her son Noel, a Navy veteran who received an Australian Fire Service Medal in the 2021 Australia Day Honours.

 

With thanks to Shirley McLaren, the Camden Courier, War Widows NSW and Dept of Defence for background content.

Blog Posts

Help for Vets in Need

Veterans’ Services

Find out more

Latest News

array(2) { [0]=> int(175) [1]=> int(41) }

George Carpenter’s Inspiring Dedication to Preserving Military History

George Carpenter, an 87 year old resident of RSL ANZAC Village in Narrabeen, has been volunteering at the RSL LifeCare War Museum for three years...

Read more

From Stables to Retirement Living: Tim Cooke’s Life Journey

"My journey kicked off when I was just 14 years old. The year was 1963. I waved goodbye to school and hello to an apprenticeship...

Read more

Journey Through 102 Years: The Life of Helen Lea

"My name is Helen Lea, and I've been lucky enough to reach the grand age of 102. I've always felt pretty good for my age....

Read more

Honouring Malaya & Borneo Veterans: A Story of Sidney Peter Bryant

Today, on August 31, we commemorate Malaya & Borneo Veterans Day and take a moment to pay tribute to those who served in the Malayan...

Read more

Federal Government grant awarded to RSL LifeCare

RSL LifeCare has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Australian Government to support the development of a business case to establish a Veterans’ and...

Read more

RSL LifeCare a finalist in Best Graduate Development Program – Australian HR Awards 2023

August 2023 – RSL LifeCare’s Graduate Registered Nurse Program has been announced as a finalist in the Australian HR Awards 2023, Best Graduate Development Program...

Read more

RSL LifeCare successfully moves to the second stage in becoming the provider for a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in both the Tweed-North Coast region and Queanbeyan.

RSL LifeCare has welcomed the opportunity by the Federal Government to submit a business case to deliver a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in these critical...

Read more

Appointment of Elizabeth Cosson AM CSC to RSL LifeCare Board

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth (Liz) Cosson AM CSC as a Director of the RSL LifeCare Board as of Monday...

Read more

Free laptops give veterans access to employment and education opportunities

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, in collaboration with Optus and ASI Solutions, are providing laptops to veterans and their families to access education courses and employment...

Read more
Alan Buxton

Meet Alan Buxton – RSL LifeCare resident and World War II veteran

103-year-old RSL LifeCare resident Alan Buxton has led a life of courage and service. His father served in World War I, and Alan followed in...

Read more
international womens day

Message from our CEO celebrating International Women’s Day

Good morning everyone, Today, on International Women's Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the incredible women of RSL LifeCare and...

Read more

State-of-the-art Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre now open to veterans and their families

RSL LifeCare has officially opened its purpose built, state-of-the-art facility to permanently house the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre, providing an expanded range of health and...

Read more

Download a brochure

We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise

Career Application Single

  • Accepted file types: docx, doc, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Contact Veteran Services

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Are you ready to explore a new operations role with extra benefits?

Take your career in a new direction RSL LifeCare.

Search for an operations role at an RSL LifeCare Residential Aged Care facility in the Southern NSW region. Take a look at all our current positions here.

1. 100% funding on participating certifications

Undertake a participating certification through the RSL LifeCare Earn and Learn Incentive Program1 and you could be eligible to have your learning fully funded.

2. Cash bonus of up to $1000 (less income tax).

Through the RSL LifeCare Sign-on Bonus, you could be eligible for two split payments of $500 (less income tax), when you start a new role with us.

Contact Homes for Heroes today