This key note adress was presented by Dr Merilyn Childs at the International Women in Fire Fighting Conference, 2006. It begins as a pretence that it is 2016, and female firefighters are a normal part of the fire fighting industry.

1. A celebration of diversity in the
fire services.
Professor Merilyn Childs, University of Western Sydney
Retirement Address
International Women in Fire Fighting Conference,
Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
7th June 2016

2. The focus of this address…
 This address is about culture and history, and is based on social
research
 It has not about pitting “men” or “women” fire fighters against
each other
 Rather it is about the way in which we imagine “fire fighters” and
how what we imagine is possible is shaped by language &
images
 It will foster the idea that it is time for us to imagine and to
remember that it is normal for fire fighters to be female

4. Good work sister –
a century of female fire
fighting in Australasia.
Dr Merilyn Childs, University of Western Sydney.
Key Note Address
Australasian Women in Fire Fighting Conference, Darling Harbour,
Sydney, Australia
7th June 2006
Web site: http://www.firegirls.info/

5. Australia and New Zealand sit within a diverse
geopolitical, social & economic region.

6. The Amazons- c1901
The First Ladies Fire Brigade, Armidale, NSW Australia.
Shown here in their fire fighting uniform.

7. The Amazons- c1903
The First Ladies Fire Brigade, Armidale, NSW Australia.
Shown here in their dress uniform.

8. Captain Minnie Webb
 Today I’d like to honour all
these remarkable, yet
normal women of the
Amazons. In particular
Captain Minnie Webb,
arguably the first female
Captain in the Australian fire
services.
 I'd also ask you to
acknowledge the presence
of Mrs Netta Darby and Ms
Patricia Webb, Minnie
Webb's nieces.

9. Women’s Fire Auxiliary c1940s
 During WWII, across Australasia, women were
deployed in what had previously been deemed to be
“men’s” jobs”. One of the jobs they were deployed to
perform was fire fighting. The women of the Women’s
Fire Auxiliary trained as the men did, attended fires,
checked equipment, engaged in community safety,
and competed in fire fighting games.

10. Women’s Fire Auxiliary on parade,
c1942.

11. New Zealand women of the NZWFA

12. WA Women of the WFA

13. Women’s Fire Auxiliary
Today, I’d like to ask you to honour the presence of
four female fire fighters who served with the NSW
Women’s Fire Auxiliary during World War II.
 Mrs Madeleine Pinning nee Woodham
 Mrs Norma Ethel Manning nee Nicholls
 Mrs Marjorie Anderson nee Gow
 Mrs Nita McClure nee Stephenson

14. An excerpt from the WIFF
Conference

15. Women’s Fire
Auxiliary –
dress uniform,
NSW.

16. Women’s Fire Auxiliary – operational
uniform, NSW.

17. Your
heritage…

19. Normal
then…normal
now.

20. Also normal……

21. Thanks go to….
 Dazzling Fancy Dress, Yagoona. Christine Grant (inspired
owner!) & Andrea, Mel, Johanne, Janelle, Gabby, Richelle,
Rebecca, Johanna and Pat, for their inspired interpretation of
historic photographs, the many hours and skills for turning
photographs of historic uniforms into reality
 Work experience students Mia Harris and Al Zhu Jin (Ultimo
TAFE) and Mahn Ishoo (Macquarie Fields TAFE) who helped
out with meticulous stitching and other labour, Dazzling Fancy
Dress, Yagoona
 Numerous female & male fireys and friends for lending or
giving historic artefacts to assist in this and the foyer display