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Aviatrix Nancy Bird and her new plane (Leopard Moth) the day before she left for Bourke with the managing director and manager of Vita-Lick Ltd – Sydney, NSW / by unknown photographer

Format: Photograph

Notes:
Nancy Bird Walton was born in Sydney in 1915. In 1933, at the age of 17, she became the youngest Australian woman to gain a pilot’s licence. One year later she obtained her commercial licence. When she appeared for one flight, one passenger said "My God, it’s a woman", which became the title of her biography and a standard catchphrase. In 1937-38 she operated a charter service in Queensland followed by a 2 year world tour studying civil aviation. In 1950 she founded the Australian Women’s Pilots’ Association. She won the Ladies Trophy South Australian Centenary Air Race from Brisbane to Adelaide in 1936 and came 5th in the All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race, America in 1958. She was appointed AO in 1990. Nancy Bird Walton died in Sydney on 13 January 2009 at the age of 93. She was given a State Funeral in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney on Wednesday 21 January 2009. The new Qantas A380 named for her flew over Sydney during the funeral.

Find more detailed information about this photograph: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=391650

Search for more great images in the State Library’s collections: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/search/SimpleSearch.aspx

From the collection of the State Library of New South Wales www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Tags: managing, Bourke, director, Animals, plane, manager, Moth, Leopard, Nancy

Posted in Animals.

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15 Responses

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  1. Duncan Allan says

    I feel so humbled and inspired by these early pilots especially the fortitude of the women in those times.

  2. BobMeade says

    HMM.. What’s Vita-Lick Ltd.?

    "Vitalick was the original livestock supplement in Australia and has been assisting in livestock nutrition since the 1920." according to the current (2009) supplier, Rational Nutrition Pty. Ltd.

    (ref. )

    See also this photograph showing the Vita-Lick stand at the 1936 Royal Easter Show:

  3. striatic says

    it’s ridiculous how small that ad is.

    this scene today would probably involve a sheep shaped plane.

  4. BobMeade says

    R.I.P. Nancy Bird Walton.

    ;

    Thank you SLNSW for these timely images.

  5. dsul3930 says

    Aviatrix is probably my new favorite word

  6. cltan47 says

    best shot

  7. jsm.towfic says

    rare snap…

  8. Howard33 says

    In 1933, flying was a dangerous business. Only the best pilots lived to be 93.

  9. Pristine*Belle says

    lifeasdaddy Thank you for posting that link. What a great person, truly inspiring.


    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

  10. BRONCO © off says

    Hallo, ich bin der Administrator der Gruppe UNDER THE SIGN OF THE WHITE ROSE (Admin Invite Only ), und wir freuen uns, Ihr Foto unserer Gruppe hinzuzufügen.

  11. yenonorsa says

    wowww

  12. artland says

    Congratulations!
    This is a wonderful shot!
    You are invited to post it to:


    artland

  13. Paulo JS Ferraz says

    !

  14. teresat_b says

    cool

  15. jamica1 says

    [] Brilliant

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