A Trio Who Forgot to Leave or History in the Making?
By SQNLDR Nancy Kirby
Kutia, Kirby and Marshall.
One could say many things about this trio … but let’s stick with the pertinent facts as to why they are pictured here together and why they are history in the making.
All three originally enlisted in the Women’s Royal New Zealand Air Force (WRNZAF) in the 1970s but have served more time in the RNZAF; all three are respected administrators; all three hold senior ranks, all three have contributed in one way or another towards the equal opportunities our women in the forces experience today; all three are well recognised sportswomen at RNZAF and NZDF level both as players and administrators; all three attended the recent Airmen’s Reunion for past and present members and it was then that they realised they had served nearly 90 years regular force service between them. Sadly they were the only currently serving regular force members to attend the reunion.
The 67th Anniversary of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was recently held at the Duxton Hotel in Wellington. It was an opportunity for our past and present airwomen to meet up with old friends and acquaintances met during their time in the Air Force, whether it was in the WAAF, WRNZAF, or RNZAF. It was an occasion to reflect on and celebrate our pride in the great accomplishments women have undertaken and achieved throughout the New Zealand Air Force’s military history.
As a regular force member who has more years than one perhaps wants to mention the experience of attending this reunion proved to be humbling, enlightening and inspiring. Five decades of women met in one room with service ranging from the 1940s to the 1980s. The oldest was 95 years and the youngest somewhere in their mid 40s. All had served in the WAAF, WRNZAF and RNZAF. What most inspired me, is the commitment, stamina, and energy of the ladies who had served for us during the war and still continue to do so to the present day. The stories these ladies had to tell and the passion they still have for the Service and seeing the life-long friendships they have maintained enlightened me as to what they had really done in their time as our founding members towards our place in the RNZAF today.
All the past members at the reunion displayed a very high interest in finding out what it’s like in today’s Air Force and the things that have changed. For example the trades women can work in today; the number of women currently serving; the ranks they hold; the changes to conditions of service like equal pay, status and employment; family friendly policies; changes to the uniform, etc. These few things alone made me reflect on the vast changes since I enlisted back in the late 1970s. Back then women could only enlist in administrative fields or limited technical fields. There was one female W/O (appointed in 1976) but today there are 21. There were less than 10 female officers and only one SQNLDR known as ‘Queen Bee’. Today we have 83 including one GPCAPT, four WGCDRs and 26 SQNLDRs. Women had to leave the service to have a family, but today we manage family life with our career. It is during these times of reflection that we realise how far forward our RNZAF has come. We have much to thank our forebears for.
For our currently serving women, be proud of your place in the RNZAF and know that you are the markers for our future generations. Where possible make the most of any opportunity that comes your way, and if you can make the time to gather your friends together to attend future Air Women’s Reunions do so as a means to celebrate that special bond we have as being members of this special organisation.
On behalf of all those who attended the Airwomen’s Reunion I would like to say a special thank you to the organising committee, SQNLDR Kim Senior, SQNLDR (Rtd) Marie Peters, Mrs Mary Blackwell, Mrs Jan Roberts and Mrs Elaine Parkinson for a fantastic weekend had by all. Also I would like to thank the RNZAF Central Welfare Fund for the generous contribution provided towards the event.