HISTORY OF THE WRAAF (Page 2 Cont.....)
Selection and Duties of Officers
WRAAF G officers are appointed to commissions and are regarded as specialist officers in matters concerning administration, efficiency, discipline, well-being and working and living conditions of airwomen.
One WRAAF officer, initially appointed as a WRAAF G officer, was employed as a full-time substitute for a RAAF accountant officer from 1959 to 1964. Other WRAAF officers have been employed in RAAF administrative posts for short tours of duty, but without losing their identity as WRAAF G officers.
During January and February 1951, prospective WRAAF officers were interviewed in each capital city. Sixteen of these officers (13 civilians and 3 airwomen) completed a six week administrative course at Laverton in April 1951. Miss D Carter was appointed DWRAAF in 1951.
Until 1956 future appointments to commissioned rank were made from serving airwomen between the ages of 22 and 38. Since 1956 commissions have been made available to direct entries as well as serving airwomen.
Reports upon airwomen applicants were made by their OIC WRAAF, Education Officer, Section Commander and Commanding Officer. Applicants recommended attended a familiarisation day and were then interviewed by a specially appointed interview board. Successful members proceeded to an Officers' Initial Training Course. Three of these courses were conducted at OTS Rathmines lasting 16 weeks and two abridged courses were conducted at Point Cook in 1955. OTS moved to Point Cook in 1960. All officers are commissioned as Section Officers. The evolution of WRAAF Officer Training from 1951 to 1975 is detailed at Annex E.
Advanced Training - Officers
A WRAAF Officer was included on the Advanced Administrative Course for the first time in 1961 and two other WRAAF officers later completed this course. There is some doubt, however, whether advanced administrative courses will again be conducted.
NCO Training
The need to train NCOs was recognised within a few years of the formation of the WRAAF but was delayed for various reasons, such as:
(a) the inability of units to spare girls for training;
(b) lack of a spare officer to take charge of training; and
(c) shortage of accommodation for the NCOs being trained.
However, in 1962 NCO training commenced in earnest and courses of two weeks’ duration were held twice a year at Point Cook. Since 1965 several courses have been held at RAAF Edinburgh.
The syllabus covered:
Effective communications, organisation, administration, drill, social behaviour, general responsibilities and the basic responsibilities of direction, supervision and training.
The course was officially named the WRAAF NCO Supervisor Training Course.
Conditions of Service
Pay. Conditions of service for WRAAF are similar to those for airmen but an airwoman's pay was considerably less than the male rate in the early days. The Allison committee in 1958 determined WRAAF rates of pay as:
(a) 75% basic wage,
(b) 66 2/3% male margin for rank,
(c) 100% male margin for skill,
(d) plus a special service loading and uniform allowance minus a clothing saving deduction and value of rations and quarters.
Equal Pay Principles. The National Wage Case of 1969 established the principle of the gradual introduction of equal pay for identical work. In 1970 this principle was applied to airwomen who, in step with female civilians, gradually achieved 100% of the basic wage by 1972. NCOs, however, received only 66 2/3 of the male margin granted for rank, which increased to 80% in 1971.
WRAAF Officer Pay. WRAAF officers prior to 1970 received between 66 2/3 and 68% of male officer rates. This percentage was increased to 76-78% from December 1970.
Retention of Married Women. A change in policy in 1969 permitted a member of the WRAAF to continue serving after marriage if she:
(a) elected before marriage, to do so;
(b) undertook to meet in full the normal service requirements expected of unmarried members; and
(c) continued to meet in full those requirements. (DEPAIR 662/1/5 Pt 2 (45) Feb 70 refers).
Promotion. Promotion for Section Officers from 1951 to 1963 depended on vacancies, with the result that some members were promoted in two years whereas others, equally capable, waited over five years before a vacancy occurred. In 1963 a new policy was effected whereby Section Officers were promoted after three years, subject to satisfactory service and their Commanding Officer's recommendations.
Pensions. From 1951-59 members received a gratuity of £60 on completion of four years’ service. Since 1960, members have been eligible for DFRB benefits.
Directors of the WRAAF
The following officers were DWRAAF between the dated shown.
| Wing Officer DJ Carter, QBE | 11 April 1951 -10 April 1960 |
| Wing Officer (later Group Officer) LK Pitman, QBE | 11 April 1960 -17 May 1972 |
| Group Officer DD Parsloe, AM, B Com, AAUQ | 17 May 1972 |
Notes of the Directors of the WRAAF are attached at Annex A below
Honours, Awards and Medals
| Coronation Medals | In 1952 approximately 10 members of WRAAF received Coronation Medals. |
| OBE | Wing Officer DJ Carter was awarded the OBE in 1957 and Group Officer LK Pitman in 1968. |
| AM | Group Officer DD Parsloe was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1975. |
| BEM | W6257 LACW Pearson K. of 1SD was awarded the BEM for bravery in 1955. A copy of the citation for the award is given at Annex B. |
| Other members, listed below, received the award for services in their mustering, and the credit they have brought on the WRAAF. | |
| W218434 LACW Hope E.E. | SEW | RAAF Williamtown -1965 |
| W55850 Cpl Markussen P.M. | Tailor | RAAF Point Cook -1968 |
| W25241 F Sgt Breen E. | CLKA | RAAF Richmond -1969 |
| W25845 F Sgt Hyland A.M. | Stwd | RAAF Point Cook -1969 |
| W216196 Sgt Selby I.J. | CLKEA | 2AD -1970 |
| W217195 Sgt Justice D. | AMO | 2SD - 1970 |
LSGCM In 1964 W35340 Sgt Stirling M.E. CLKEA was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Several other airwomen have since completed the required 18 years’ service and received the award. ???? can we list the others ??????
Commandant of WRAAF
Members of the WRAAF have been greatly honoured by the appointment of Her Majesty, the Queen Mother, as Air Chief Commandant of the Women's Royal Australian Air Force.
Integration Into the RAAF
The WRAAF and the RAAFNS integrated into the RAAF in 1977. Female officers assumed the same ranks as male officers.
The integration of male and female personnel permitted greater use of manpower resources. The same policies and administrative procedures apply equally to the employment of both males and females, unless specific and justifiable reasons necessitate different treatment.
Restricted Employment Areas
Although the majority of employment areas in the RAAF are available to both sexes, some officer categories are not open to females.
Details are as follows:
| (a) Officers | |
| General Duties Branch (eg, Aircrew) | All categories |
| Special Duties Branch | Ground Defence |
| (b) Airmen | |
| Aircraft Support Engineering | Surface Finisher |
| Airman Aircrew | All musterings |
| Defence and Disciplinary | Airfield Defence Guard |
| Marine Craft | All musterings |
Combat and Combat-related Duties
No requirement exists in the RAAF to employ female members in the combat and combat-related duties.
Annexes:
A |
Directors of the WRAAF |
B |
BEM Citation |
C |
WRAAF Milestones |
D |
List of WRAAF Officers (not yet compiled) |
E |
Evolution of WRAAF Officer Training |
F |
Female Officers in the RAAF |
G |
Other Female Officers |
.
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