Margaret Ferrier
Flight mechanic – Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force
“Of course I wanted to make a difference, but there was the excitement of being part of it…”
If they made a movie about Margaret Ferrier’s time in the services, she would have to be played by 40’s Hollywood screen queen Katherine Hepburn. There’s the intelligence, the cheekiness and the boldness.
In explaining why she enlisted, Margaret says:
“Of course I wanted to make a difference, but there was the excitement of being part of it. And I secretly wanted to fly.”
For Margaret getting behind the controls of a plane was not a simple matter of ticking a box at the recruitment office since women were hardly if ever let near the controls of any military aircraft.
Coming from an established farming family in Roma, Queensland, Margaret was quick to find work in the essential industry sector. It was 1943 and more and more men were being sent to join the fighting overseas, leaving work that was previously their domain open to women.
On arriving in Sydney Margaret found work in a factory, manufacturing the famous vintage aircraft Tiger Moths. This suited Margaret who came from a farm and had good mechanical skills. But it wasn’t enough.
The work was repetitive and dull and Margaret banded together with some other women and decided to leave. “I wanted to do something more active.” The women marched straight down to the recruitment centre in Martin Place, Sydney and signed up. It was 15 July 1943.
For full article, Click Here.
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...
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...
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...
Latest News
RSL 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 more
Fee-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 more
Access 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 more
Lakes 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 more
Vale 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 more
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 are a core part of RSL...
Read more
Hugh 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 more
Construction 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 more
Today 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 moreBaby Boomers to change the face of aged care for ever
Baby Boomers are set to revolutionise aged care by banging down the doors of change, according to the annual research we (RSL LifeCare) have undertaken...
Read moreRapid 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 Government Areas (LGAs). Rapid Antigen Testing...
Read more