
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

6 Jun 2022
Spur, enabled by our passionate volunteer crew.
Spur Ranch, co-located with RSL LifeCare John Goodlet Manor in Picton, south of Sydney, is where the Spur Equine...

6 Jun 2022
Vale Walter Williams OAM
RSL LifeCare staff and residents alike have been deeply saddened to learn of the passing of long – time...

5 May 2022
Giving our nurses a voice to lead
Today, on International Nurses Day (IND) we shine a light on our nursing staff and their vital work. Our nurses...
4 Apr 2022
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services – one team supporting veterans and their families
The delivery of Veteran Services has been core to RSL LifeCare since its beginnings over 100 years ago. Now,...

3 Mar 2022
How the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program helps veterans find work
Transitioning to a different career is not always easy for veterans returning to civilian life. The RSL Veterans’ Employment...
11 Nov 2021
RSL LifeCare Annual Report 2021
I am pleased to advise that the 2021 RSL LifeCare Annual Report is now available. This annual report is...
10 Oct 2021
Rapid Antigen Test kits now available to Aged Care providers.
The Department of Health is offering Rapid Antigen Test kits to aged care providers across NSW in high-risk Local...

8 Aug 2021
Aged Care Employee Day is a day to thank everyone at RSL LifeCare.
7th August is Aged Care Employee Day. This is a day for us to thank every person who works...

7 Jul 2021
World War 2 code breaker Marion Painter features in Sky News documentary
ANZAC Village, Narrabeen resident Marion Painter has featured in Sky News documentary, The Alliance, about her time as a...

6 Jun 2021
Aged care workers should be vaccinated on site.
AGED care provider, RSL LifeCare, have applauded the Australian Government for their decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for staff...

3 Mar 2016
Laughter is the best medicine
Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the ‘feel good factor’ Acts as aerobic exercise and is like ‘internal jogging’ Unleashes...

5 May 2016
A healthy diet for a healthy heart
Valentine’s Day saw people thinking of love and things of the heart and we thought it would be a...

10 Oct 2016
Pets and Positive Ageing
Animals play an important role in our lives. As Community Staff, we are blessed to see the bonds that...

More from the blog
Latest News
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 moreRSL LifeCare’s Response to Federal Budget
RSL LifeCare has welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment in additional support and funding across Aged Care and Veterans’ Services as part of the October 2022...
Read moreRSL LifeCare welcomes new CEO
Media Release 21 September 2022 RSL LifeCare has welcomed a new CEO this week, with the appointment of experienced and entrepreneurial business leader, Janet Muir. ...
Read moreFee-free certified training for veterans or their partners across NSW with JobTrainer
In collaboration with Training Services NSW through their JobTrainer program, RSL LifeCare Veteran Services is providing access to four certification programs across hospitality, business, leadership...
Read moreAccess to fee-free certified training with the JobTrainer pilot program
In collaboration with Training Services NSW through their JobTrainer program, RSL LifeCare Veteran Services are piloting access to three certification programs across business, leadership and...
Read moreLakes of Cherrybrook
As a part-owner of ‘Lakes of Cherrybrook,’ RSL LifeCare is aware of some building and maintenance issues raised by a small number of Strata owners...
Read moreVale Walter Williams OAM
RSL LifeCare staff and residents alike have been deeply saddened to learn of the passing of long - time ANZAC Village resident and respected RSL...
Read moreGiving our nurses a voice to lead
Today, on International Nurses Day (IND) we shine a light on our nursing staff and their vital work. Our nurses are a core part of RSL...
Read moreHugh Cunningham Gardens welcomes Australian Defence Force support
RSL LifeCare has welcomed the support of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel at Hugh Cunningham Gardens residential aged care home at Tura Beach. The 15-person...
Read moreConstruction Begins on Permanent Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre
Construction has begun on a new purpose built, state-of-the-art facility to permanently house the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre, providing an expanded range of health and...
Read moreToday we honour Rawdon Hume “Ron” Middleton, VC.
SEVENTY nine years ago today a bomber took off from an air base in Suffolk, England. It was one of more than 200 aircraft on...
Read more