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Role of women celebrated at NQ Legacy’s mid-year lunch

The Townsville RSL was transported back to the 40s yesterday where the important role of women in defence was highlighted at the annual Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch.

Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch at the Townsville RSL. Private Amy Hancock, Wing Commander Luke Headley, WO1 Melisa (correct) Thompson and Captain Courtney Frowen. Picture: Evan Morgan
Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch at the Townsville RSL. Private Amy Hancock, Wing Commander Luke Headley, WO1 Melisa (correct) Thompson and Captain Courtney Frowen. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Townsville RSL was transported back to the 40s yesterday where the important role of women in defence was highlighted at the annual Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch.

Northern Queensland Legacy CEO Nicole Hayes said the event was to commemorate VP80 and celebrate the emerging role of women in Defence since World War II.

“World War Two really changed what women see as being their role and their role now is very different from what many of our ladies would have experienced in the 40s and the 50s and even the 60s.” she said.

“Knowing that we have professional soldiers and aviators who are living the life that they want to live because of the work that the ladies who came before them have done is really special.”

Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch at the Townsville RSL. Colonel Aruma Boniface, Deanne Bell, Irene Maher and Lieutenant Colonel Tim Hawley. Picture: Evan Morgan
Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch at the Townsville RSL. Colonel Aruma Boniface, Deanne Bell, Irene Maher and Lieutenant Colonel Tim Hawley. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Senior Health Officer for 3rd Brigade Lieutenant Colonel Sara Molloy was the guest speaker and paid tribute and celebrated the remarkable milestones and contributions to women during World War Two.

“Over 224,000 personnel deployed to the Pacific Theatre. With so many men deployed, Australia turned to its women to support the war effort,” she said.

“They took up non-combat roles to free up the men for combat. They flew planes, drove trucks, maintained communications, and worked tirelessly in factories providing essential support to our troops, working in roles once deemed unimaginable for women.

“Today, women are employed across all services, professions, trades, training in operational environments, proving that gender is no barrier.”

Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch at the Townsville RSL. LACW Tearlee Gleeson (centre) with Lindy Henson and Coral Millar. Picture: Evan Morgan
Northern Queensland Legacy mid-year lunch at the Townsville RSL. LACW Tearlee Gleeson (centre) with Lindy Henson and Coral Millar. Picture: Evan Morgan

Senior ADF Officer RAAF Base Townsville Wing Commander Luke Headley said Legacy has been supporting veterans in Australia for over a century and continued to play a significant role in the lives of families in North Queensland.

He said several female RAAF personnel had come with him to the event to hear the stories of the Legacy beneficiaries and understand how Legacy had supported them.

“We’ve got a vehicle mechanic, we’ve got a mover and we’ve got an electrician, and that’s a display of how roles, particularly for females, have evolved in defence over the last couple of decades,” he said.

“Throughout my career, it’s been great to see an evolution in the variety of jobs available to both men and women who choose to join the ADF.”

Originally published as Role of women celebrated at NQ Legacy’s mid-year lunch

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/role-of-women-celebrated-at-nq-legacys-midyear-lunch/news-story/725bbf481f5906f81e610907c33c5691