Special Events 2019
Toowoomba Wraaf Reunion 14th July 2019
Memorial Plaque Service
FUTURE EVENT 2021
RAAF 100 year celebration
31st March 2021 ANNIVERSARY DAY
FAREWELL Luncheon hosted by Airforce
MELBOURNE SHOWGROUND and evening evenT
22nd – 31st March 2021 100th Anniversary of the Air force. This event (being organised by Radschool) is now open to everyone who has served or is still serving in the Air Force with (hopefully) an ex-WRAAF “Girls-own” night on the Thursday 25 March in the Officers Mess at Laverton. Visit : radschool.org.au/2021Celebration/Overview.htm for more details.
WRAAF Dining-In-Night to be held on the Thursday 25th March 2021 night at Laverton RAAF Base, Officers Mess (UNDER REVIEW)??
WRAAF 70th to be celebrated in Canberra over Anzac weekend 23-25 April 2021.
"Hello ladies, after conversations with ex-WRAAF ladies, Air Force Headquarters (AFHQ) and the Air Force 2021 Committee, I can now confirm the WRAAF 70th Anniversary/Reunion will be held in Canberra over the Anzac weekend 23-26 Apr 2021.
The Reunion will be in a similar format to those of the previous reunions: cocktail/registration event on Friday evening, dinner on Saturday.
2021 is an exciting year for Air Force - its the 100th Anniversary of the RAAF as well as the 70th Anniversary of the WRAAF. The RSL have confirmed Air Force will lead the 2021 Anzac Day parade at the Australian War Memorial. For those ladies who would like to participate, we will be marching as a National Group. And finally, I will also coordinate a church service.
To ensure that we reach the largest possible audience, in addition to this page I will create a 70th Anniversary page, and I will liaise with the individual states to source contact lists so that I can send letters to those ladies not on social media."
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Current and former women of the Women's Royal Australian Air Force prior to the Brisbane City Anzac Day parade.
On Anzac Day, we remember not only the original Anzacs who died on 25 April 1915, but every one of our service men and women who have served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Anzac Day is a time to reflect on the contribution made by all of our past and present service men and women who have displayed great courage, discipline and self-sacrifice in choosing a life of service to their country.
Approximately 2350 ADF members are currently deployed on operations, continuing the Anzac spirit whilst serving Australia’s national interests at home and in many countries around the world.
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SPECIAL EVENTS FROM 2013
Perth Reunion 11-13 October 2013
Queensland Group at Perth Reunion October 2013
All the Brisbane girls arrived safely in the West and proceeded to enjoy themselves with various activities mainly shopping and sightseeing. The weather has been a bit fickle with breezes, showers, clouds and sunshine but it hasn’t slowed us down.
The festivities commenced with the Hi Tea on Friday night at Rydges Hotel where everyone was eagerly checking the Roll Call to see who was there. Copious amounts of refreshments were consumed to continually lubricate our vocal chords (well that’s our excuse and we are sticking to it).
Saturday night was the big celebration out at the Air Force Estate at Bull Creek. We partook of a delicious 3 course meal and matching wines with some ex-WRAAFies showing that they still had what it takes to take to the dance floor for some line dancing and clogging. The do-it-yourself photo booth in the corner was very popular with everyone, all still chatting while waiting in the queue.
A beautiful chocolate mud cake decorated with the WRAAF crest was made by one of the Perth Committee and was officially cut by Mrs Beryl Black (aka Sqn Off Beryl Gibney), patron of the WA WRAAF Branch. We all then received our own individual cakes beautifully presented in blue boxes, once again made by the Perth Committee.
Cutting of the Cake at perth Reunion
The last function for the weekend was the memorial service on Sunday morning which was attended by a number of our members, followed by the bus trip to Burswood Casino for a light lunch and maybe a little spin on the pokies.
On both Friday and Saturday nights, it was announced that the Brisbane WRAAF Branch would host the next WRAAF National Reunion at the Gold Coast in October 2015. We already have 33 registrations for this event. Roll on 2015 !!!
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(WRAAF History)
The women who also served !
Years are not wearying them: : WRAAF veterans, from left, Shirley McLaren, Fay Wheatley and Anna Kastaneas-Smith with other former WRAAFs at the Glenbrook RAAF base. Picture: Gary Warrick
WOMEN'S Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) veterans recently celebrated their service days at the Glenbrook RAAF base.
Shirley McLaren, now patron of the RAAF's Sydney branch, joined the WRAAF in 1951.
"Here we are, 62 years later; the friendships we made are still strong," Mrs McLaren said. "We meet every year for WRAAF reunions."
Before 1950 women could not join the air force, except during World War II and, until recently, were barred from combat duty.
The WRAAF was formed in 1950 and fully absorbed into the RAAF in 1977.
"I was in the WRAAF for four-and-a-half years and based at Glenbrook in 1954," Mrs McLaren said. "I was a drill instructor: it was a great life."
Anna Kastaneas-Smith wished women could have enlisted in combat roles in her day.
"From the age of 11 I wanted to be a pilot," Mrs Kastaneas-Smith said. "I couldn't train for that, but I joined the air force in 1961." She said she still enjoyed her time there, but left after five years when she married.
Fay Wheatley, who worked in the WRAAF from 1958 to 1960, said those were the rules then. "Women couldn't stay in the service if they married," Mrs Wheatley said.
"I loved it but I had to leave.
"Being in the air force was like being in a family; I was lucky to have that."
Mrs McLaren said friendships made in service life were strong because the life was unique.
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For community service.
Wotton OAM, WO Joan (QB1985)
For service to the Royal Australian Air Force as a Service Women's Non-Commissioned Officer with No. 1 Recruit Training Unit.
Joined the WRAAF in October 1962 as a General Hand. Transferred to WRAAF Administrative Non-Commissioned Officer in January 1964 and to Service Women's Non-commissioned Officer in July 1977. Has been associated with the welfare, moral guidance, instruction and integration of young airwomen into the WRAAF/RAAF. Served mainly on bases in Victoria and South Australia. Promoted Warrant Officer in July 1975. Died 18 September 2005 and rests in the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.
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RAAF 60th Birthday Parade
Her Excellency the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC with members of the WRAAF Branch after they and the WAAAF's lead the RAAF Birthday Parade on Sunday, 27 March 2011 in honour of their 60th and 70th formation anniversaries respectively. Her Excellency reviewed the parade which marked the 90th anniversary of the formation of the RAAF.
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