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Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force - WAAAF - NSW Branch Collection - NJSN_AC-002 DATE RANGE - 1945-2001

By: Series: NJSN_AC-002Description: EXTENT - 7 Boxes + 4 Banners - approx. 2.75 linear metres FORMAT - Paper, photographs, textiles DIMENSIONS - 2.75 linear metres ACCOMPANYING MATERIAL - Nil TYPE OF UNIT - Boxes, banners NILSubject(s): Online resources: Production credits:
  • PRODUCTION CREDIT NOTE CS - 18 April 2012
Summary: HISTORY The Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) NSW Branch was formed after the WAAAF was demobilised in December 1947. Four hundred women attending a meeting at Air Force House in Goulburn Street Sydney in 1946 discussed the aims of their group and made plans for its social activities. This group was named The WAAAF General Committee with Miss Gwen Stark elected as first President and Miss Jeanne Simpson as first Secretary. The Branch went through a few name changes until 1971, when it was resolved that the WAAAF Wing would become a branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAAFA), to be known as the WAAAF Branch. When it was formed, the basic aims of the Branch were to maintain friendships developed during the war years and to come together for social activities as well as to raise funds for welfare activities such as equipping a crèche and nursery in the city where WAAAF and airmen's wives could leave their children for a few hours. It brought members together socially with a view to continue the solidarity that had been so much a part of communal service life. There were also those whose loved ones would not be returning who were in need of the support of their comrades. Through the peace time active ventures of the Association, services and accommodation could be provided to needy ex-servicewomen. Members were informed by WAAAF Chat, the Branch's quarterly newsletter, which promoted the details of upcoming social and official events, reunions and general interest items. Originally, the Branch held Housie nights and donated all moneys raised to the Headquarters of the RAAFA, where members were engaged in voluntary work. Branch members attended memorial services, special church services, Anzac Day and ex-servicewomen's marches and annual conferences. They also visited hospitals and institutions of care, keeping in touch with each other through home visits and Department of Veterans' Affairs meetings. During its early years, the Branch sponsored young underprivileged women in making their débuts at the RAAFA Balls. Branch members actively contributed and participated in a variety of community functions and endeavours. Along with other ex-servicewomen's associations, the Branch initiated and assisted in raising money for the building of twelve self-contained units in 'Friendship Court' at the RSL Veterans' Retirement Village Narrabeen for ex-servicewomen. The Branch took part in dedications for the Jessie Street Gardens Memorial in Loftus Street Sydney; the Ex-Servicewomen's Memorial in Canberra; the 'Entombment of the Unknown Soldier' in 1993; the 'Australia Remembers' march and luncheon held in Canberra in 1995; and the 2001 Federation Parade. The WAAAF Association NSW Branch was dissolved on 28 June 2011, shortly after the Association celebrated its 70th Anniversary in March 2011. Reference: The Australian Women’s Register: http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0459b.htm; accessed 17.4.2012
List(s) this item appears in: Stage 5 History: Depth Study 3 - Australians at War - Home front
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode
Archives - Collection Archives - Collection Jessie Street National Women's Library Archives Compartment 2/Bay 7/S4-5; Compartment 4/Drawer 3; (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available for reference in the library

CONTENTS
Box 1 [2/7/4/1]
1 WAAAF Wing 'Good Sportsmanship' Shield; initially presented 1965

Box 2 [2/7/4/2]
1 Copy of instrument of surrender Japanese Imperial South-eastern Army, World War 2; 6/9/1945
2 Outline of recruitment of airwomen in February 1941; 1/3/2003
3 Correspondence in relation to 70th Anniversary of WAAAF; 4/10/10-31/12/2010
4 WAAAF Chat, Nos 1 to 33, February 1973 to August 1978
5 WAAAF Chat, Nos 34 to 184, October 1978 to July 2011

Box 3 [2/7/4/3]
1 Memorabilia scrap book [1945-2010]
2 Australian Servicewomen’s Memorial dedication service booklet, 27/3/1999
3 2009 Calendar, Department of Veterans Affairs
4 Memorabilia scrap book [1946-2008]
5 Memorabilia scrap book [1945-2011]
6 Memorabilia scrap book [1941-2011]
7 Memorabilia [1983-2008]
8 3 x mini-flags.

Box 4 [2/7/4/4]
1 Folder of photographs recording WAAAF Wing entertaining Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester for morning tea at Air Force Association House, 213 Clarence Street Sydney on Tuesday 13 April 1965. [One unlabelled photograph also in folder]
2 Australian War Memorial 50 Anniversary booklet, 11/11/1991.
3 Booklet Centenary of Federation, 1/1/1991.
4 Commemorative booklet: Women who served in the Defence Force in World War 2, 25/7/1995.
5 Short history of wartime Women’s Services on 40th Anniversary in 1981, undated.
6 Copy of History of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force, undated.
7 Folder containing National Reunion booklets of WAAAF [1977-2001]
8 Reunion photographs [1961-1997]
9 Photograph, unlabelled
10 Memorabilia folder [1941-2010]
11 Memorabilia folder, including Wartime Songbook [2002-2010]
12 Memorabilia folder [2000-2005]

Box 5 [2/7/4/5]
1.Folder of congratulatory letters from Australian Members of Parliament, Julia Gillard (Prime Minister of Australia), Chris Hayes (Member for Fowler); Buckingham Palace; Kristina Keneally (Premier of New South Wales); March 2011.
2.Minutes of General Meetings and Annual General Meetings 25.10.1947-18.2.1958.
3.Minutes of Committee Meetings, 23.1.2007-24.5.2011.
4.Minutes of Annual General Meetings, 23.3.1999-28.6.2011.

Box 6 [2/7/4/6]
1.Minutes of General Meetings, 25.1.2005- 27.3.2007,
2.Minutes of General Meetings, 17.4.2007-27.10.2009.
3.Minutes of General Meetings, 24.11.2009-28.6.2011.

Box 7 [2/7/4/7]
1 'Keep them flying!', Australian War Memorial Poster (V8047), 50 x 60 cm; undated
2 Scrapbook of clippings from 'Wings', the official journal of the AFC and RAAF Association, NSW; [1/6/1946-18/4/2000]
3 Scrapbook of clippings from 'Wings', the official journal of the AFC and RAAF Association, NSW; photographs; and other memorabilia; [1/9/1979-31/12/2008]

Item 8 [Shelf 2 Worktable]
Banner entitled 'Eastern Area Headquarters', comprises press clippings, photographs and labels providing information in relation to the Sydney headquarters of the RAAF during World War 2; [1946-1987]

Item 9 [Shelf 2 Worktable]
Banner entitled 'Memories: 1941-2011' celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the WAAAF and comprises press clippings, photographs and labels; [1966-2008]

Item 10 [Shelf 2 Worktable]
Banner entitled '1977 WAAAF Reunion' (held in Perth) comprises press clippings, photographs, memorabilia and labels; [1945-1977].

Item 11 [Shelf 2 Worktable]
Banner entitled 'The Salvation Army' provides a tribute to Lt Colonel Elma Curtis also known as “Cappy Curtis”, who was attached to the WAAAF in Townsville, North Queensland. The banner comprises of press clippings, photographs and labels; undated.

ACCESS CONDITIONS
Requires Library permission for publication.
RESTRICTIONS ON PHYSICAL ACCESS
Available for research only. Not for loan.

PRODUCTION CREDIT NOTE
CS - 18 April 2012

HISTORY
The Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) NSW Branch was formed after the WAAAF was demobilised in December 1947. Four hundred women attending a meeting at Air Force House in Goulburn Street Sydney in 1946 discussed the aims of their group and made plans for its social activities. This group was named The WAAAF General Committee with Miss Gwen Stark elected as first President and Miss Jeanne Simpson as first Secretary. The Branch went through a few name changes until 1971, when it was resolved that the WAAAF Wing would become a branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAAFA), to be known as the WAAAF Branch.

When it was formed, the basic aims of the Branch were to maintain friendships developed during the war years and to come together for social activities as well as to raise funds for welfare activities such as equipping a crèche and nursery in the city where WAAAF and airmen's wives could leave their children for a few hours. It brought members together socially with a view to continue the solidarity that had been so much a part of communal service life. There were also those whose loved ones would not be returning who were in need of the support of their comrades. Through the peace time active ventures of the Association, services and accommodation could be provided to needy ex-servicewomen.
Members were informed by WAAAF Chat, the Branch's quarterly newsletter, which promoted the details of upcoming social and official events, reunions and general interest items.

Originally, the Branch held Housie nights and donated all moneys raised to the Headquarters of the RAAFA, where members were engaged in voluntary work. Branch members attended memorial services, special church services, Anzac Day and ex-servicewomen's marches and annual conferences. They also visited hospitals and institutions of care, keeping in touch with each other through home visits and Department of Veterans' Affairs meetings. During its early years, the Branch sponsored young underprivileged women in making their débuts at the RAAFA Balls.
Branch members actively contributed and participated in a variety of community functions and endeavours. Along with other ex-servicewomen's associations, the Branch initiated and assisted in raising money for the building of twelve self-contained units in 'Friendship Court' at the RSL Veterans' Retirement Village Narrabeen for ex-servicewomen. The Branch took part in dedications for the Jessie Street Gardens Memorial in Loftus Street Sydney; the Ex-Servicewomen's Memorial in Canberra; the 'Entombment of the Unknown Soldier' in 1993; the 'Australia Remembers' march and luncheon held in Canberra in 1995; and the 2001 Federation Parade.

The WAAAF Association NSW Branch was dissolved on 28 June 2011, shortly after the Association celebrated its 70th Anniversary in March 2011.

Reference: The Australian Women’s Register: http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0459b.htm; accessed 17.4.2012

TERMS OF USE
Reproduction of archival material is subject to approval. Publication of archival material will require written permission of the Archives. If publication is approved, the source must be acknowledged.

DATE OF ACQUISITION
September 2011
EXTENT
7 Boxes + 4 Banners - approx. 2.75 linear metres

INFORMATION RELATING TO COPYRIGHT STATUS
Copyright holder is Jessie Street National Women's Library Archives

LANGUAGE NOTE
English

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