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Home » Themes » Conflict » World War Two
Women`s Auxiliary Australian Air Force Print Page 
The Plaque commemorates those who served with the Women`s Auxiliary Australian Air Force between 1941 and 1947.
Location
| Address: | Federal Highway, RAAF Memorial Grove, Majura, 2609 |
|---|---|
| State: | ACT |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -35.211571 Long: 149.190164 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Tuesday 18th November, 2008 |
|---|
WOMEN`S AUXILIARY AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
WAAF
1941 - 1947
THE WAAF MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION IN ALL AREAS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE ON MAINLAND AUSTRALIA DURING WORLD WAR 11. THIS EXTENDED TO THE RAAF SPECIAL WIRELESS UNITS AND CENTRAL BUREAU SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE AND CODE BREAKING OPERATIONS IN HEADQUARTERS SOUTH WEST PACIFIC.
A DECISION BY THE CABINET IN 1941 SAW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WAAF ON THE 15th MARCH 1941. INITIAL FOCUS WAS ON THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT RAAF AIR AND GROUND OPERATIONS. THIS WAS BROADENED TO INCLUDE WIRELESS MESSAGE INTERCEPT AND JAPANESE CODE BREAKING OPERATIONS.
BY THE TIME THE WAAF WAS DISBANDED IN JUNE 1947, 27,258 MEMBERS HAD SERVED FROM ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES. THEY WERE EMPLOYED IN ONE OF THE 73 DIFFERENT MUSTERINGS, IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR EFFORT AND DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, ONE OF AUSTRALIA`S ARMED FORCES (RAAF) EMPLOYED FEMALE TECHNICIANS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO WERE THE SUBJECT OF AIR FORCE LAW, SERVICE, DISCIPLINE AND SECRECY OBLIGATIONS. THIS WAS A MAJOR CULTURAL CHANGE.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WAAF CREATED A PRECEDENT, UNDER STRONG LEADERSHIP, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY VALUES WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE AIR BOARD. THE WAAF WAS IN THE FOREFRONT OF MEASURES THAT BROUGHT ABOUT A GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE STATUS OF ALL SERVICEWOMEN.
.... 'OUR SERVICE IS THEIR HERITAGE'
WAAF BRANCH ASSOCIATION (NSW DIVISION)
DEDICATED ON 18 NOVEMBER 2008
