WOMEN WORK FOR DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 225, 21 June 1939, Page 6

WOMEN WORK FOR DEFENCE

* New Organization Formed In Queensland How nearly 3000 women, enrolled as voluntary workers in the Queensland Women’s National Emergency Legiou, are assisting in the work of strengthening Australia’s defence is described in a letter written by one of the organizers, Miss Robin lleale, secretary to the chairman of directors of Qantas Airways, Brisbane. In a letter to a friend in New Zealand, Mr. D. J. Willis, .Marton, Miss lleale says she has been busily engaged since the crisis of last September in helping to organize "The Woman’s Army,” which also has an Air Wing. Already it has nearly 3000 members in Brisbane alone.

Mr. Willis said in au interview that it was clear Australia was tackling its defence problem as one of grave urgency and would attempt to equip itself to a high standard of self reliance. “I would like to see an organization similar to that described by Miss Heale in New Zealand,” he added. “It shows that in Australia even the women are interested in defence,problems and are anxious to help in every way possible.” Describing the uew organization, Mits Heale says:— “We have in six months enrolled nearly 3000 voluntary members in Brisbane alone, and we are extending throughout Queensland, where we hope t> enrol a further 7000 or more. We have a first aid unit, field cooking, V.A.D.’s, 150 auxiliary nurses and 900 women in actual training, completely organized for emergency in mechanical aud horse transport, ambulance driving, radio and signalling, ground servicing of aircraft, canteen work, child guardianship. “The authorities have given us the job of finding 400 thoroughly reliable women ambulance drivers, instructed in mechanical work, A.R.P. and first aid. The work involved is tremendous and as secretary of the legion and commander of the air wing 1 find my week almost entirely filled, specially as I have a parade or a meeting four nights out of six. .> “My air wing, consisting of three training squadrons of 50 each, is being properly instructed in ground servicing of aircraft, to work as assistants to ground engineers or in aircraft factories—should it be necessary. They go 10 miles by bus to Darcherfield once a week and the advanced class is now past the preliminary stage. They begin this week on practical workcleaning engines, mending fabric, rigging planes and issuing parts. “The movement is without precedent in Queensland and considering it is purely honorary and members pay only a small fee for iiistriiqfion, we have had amazing success. We paraded on Anzac Day. for the first lime in uniform —a plain coat and skirt of greyish khaki—and had our own band.

“The whole business of war preparation is very depressing and deplorable (specially when one studies A.R.P. and learns the grim distinction between mustard gas and Lewisite), but, in the face of necessity, it is, I think, preparedness that, is reassuring.”