NANCY BIRD WALTON 16 th of October 1915- 13 th of January 2009 Why I chose this topic What Nancy Bird Walton achieved in her life is fascinating to me. I researched with my Mum some Australian legends who are interesting for how they became famous. Nancy was the one who intrigued me the most. Early Life Nancy Bird Walton was born on October 16th, 1915 in Kew, Sydney, New South Wales. She wanted to fly almost as soon as she could walk! Nancy had attended a private school at Collaroy but she had left school at the age of thirteen. Her father William set up a general store in Mount George, near North Taree. William had chosen Nancy out of her siblings to help him with the store. Nancy had also left school to help her family. She ended up in the same position as many other families with children who left school to help the family financially. When she turned thirteen she went on a joy flight in a Gyspy Moth at a fair. It decided her future for her! She was determined to fly for a living. Ther first plane she owned was a Gypsy Moth. It wasa gift from her relatives. She used it to transport passengers and give free rides. Nancy’s Family It was 1939 and Nancy, aged twenty four, was on a ship traveling from America, and this was the place where she met her future husband Charles Walton. Nancy married Charles Walton at the same age. After World War 2 ended they had two children named Anne Marie and John. Nancy Bird Walton’s proud parents were William and Fanny Bird. Why is Nancy a legend? Nancy Bird Walton is a very important legend because she was the first female pilot in the British Commonwealth to fly with passengers. Back then that was a big accomplishment for women and a massive thing to achieve. She was admired by many women and inspired many to also accomplish big things. Flying and Learning At a young age it was an aim for Nancy to fly for a living. In 1933 her passion drove her to the flying school that Sir Charles Kingsford Smith owned. After the Depression, the flying school were eager to take anyone who wanted to fly. Nancy was among some of the first participants at the flying school. Charles didn't approve of women flying and neither did most Australians. However they were eager for people, so they let her in. Nancy had begun training to fly an aeroplane on the 11th of August, 1933. Only seventeen days later Nancy was able to fly! She had passed and received her 'A' License on the 28th of September, 1933. Nancy gave many joy rides to a lot of people who'd never seen a plane/aircraft before. Her Gypsy Moth was used as an air ambulance. Nancy went on a Barnstorming tour with her friend Peggy McKillop. She said flying was 'Rewarding but lonely work'. After working in the outback for four years she wanted a break from flying. Following a well deserved twenty year break, Nancy returned to flying. She achieved something that was only expected of men. That something was flying. Achievements Nancy Bird Walton formed the Australia's Women Pilots Association and became its president. In all her time flying, Nancy was never involved in an accident. In 1935 she hired an air ambulance and flew it in the outback of NSW. In 1936 she entered an air race from Adelaide to Brisbane and won the ladies trophy. An entry in the famous all women race in America, Power Puff Derby, made headlines in the newspaper. She was the first overseas woman to compete. Nancy Bird published two books. 'Born to Fly’ in 1961 and 'My God It's a Woman’ in 1990. Nancy is officially forever known as the British Commonwealth’s youngest female commercial pilot. In 2008 Qantas Airlines named their first A380 after Nancy Bird Walton. Nancy was a great role model for many women. Awards Nancy's generous spirit came from helping charities and people in need and this earned her the Order of the British Empire in 1996. Order of the British Empire is awarded for national order of chivalry. The eligibility for this award is for British Nationals or anyone who makes an impact for the UK. She also received the Order of Australia award in 1990 and this can be awarded for any achievement in service to Australia or humanity. Any Australian Citizen is eligible for this award . Unfortunately Nancy Bird Walton passed away age 93, at her home on the 13th of January 2009. She died of old age. This story was all over the news. It was very important to some, and some very sad news. "Nancy Bird's boundless energy, her courage and her vision for the role of the woman in aviation represented the best of Australia," said Qantas chief Alan Joyce "With my hard won savings I bought myself a leather coat, helmet and goggles, because I was going to learn to fly," said Nancy Bird Walton Bibliography Primary Source- • http://www.australianbiography.gov.au/subjects/birdwalton/interview1.ht ml Secondary Resource- • http://www.australianbiography.gov.au/subjects/birdwalton/bio.html • http://www.skwirk.com.au/P-C_s-14_u-114_t-307_C-7039/nancy-bird- walton/now/nancy-bird-walton/australia-between-the-wars- 1930s/contribution-and-significance-of-an-individual-in-the-1930s • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Bird_Walton • www.abc.net.au/schoolstv/australians/bird.htm • http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/nancy_bird_walton_bio.html • www.smh.com.au/news/national/queen-of-the- skies/2009/01/73/1231608708277.html.