Code of Silence: How Australian women helped win the war

A number of books have been written about the importance of codebreaking to win the Second World War. In Code of Silence Diana Thorp has written an informative account of the importance of Australian women during World War II who carried out top secret work for the military in the efforts to defeat the Japanese advance towards our country.

The book is based on interviews and written accounts by women who secretly worked in many locations throughout the country. The women were involved in collecting and deciphering messages intercepted from the enemy and passing them on to authorities. Some worked in intelligence, others worked in logistics or various supporting roles. They were all aware of the importance of secrecy and were careful to never discuss their work, including with family.

The book also provides background information about the effect of war on Australia as well as on the lives of some of the women when the war ended. This book is an important contribution to understanding the history of Australia during the Second World War as well as the role of women in the twentieth century. Detailed bibliography and notes are at the back of the book. 

The author ends her book with the following:

The small number of women in this book represent the thousands who voluntarily transformed their lives to take on unprecedented roles in the fight for their country. Their contributions were extraordinary, yet most remain unknown. This book is an attempt to reclaim, and to remember, these women's place in our history. 

Dead Man Walking: the murky world of Michael McGurk and Ron Medich

5 September 2009 businessman, Michael McGurk was shot as he arrived home after collecting a take-away meal for the family. His young son was with him. People in Sydney were well aware of the corruption associated with McGurk and his associates but the execution took people by surprise.

Kate McClymont, an investigative journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald, with the assistance of Vanda Carson, has compiled a detailed account of the lives of McGurk and Medich, the man accused of ordering the hit on his former business partner. Medich was finally jailed in 2018 for ordering the hit plus other crimes attributed to him.

 In Dead Man Walking, the journalist has compiled a comprehensive account of the business and criminal activities of McGurk and Medich and their numerous associates. This is a story of extremely dodgy business deals, intimidation, arson, fire bombings of properties and many failed businesses, plus drugs and brothels. The activities were not always purely confined to Australia. McGurk and his associates also involved a number of politicians in their activities.

 Dead Man Walking would appeal to those who regularly read true crime novels as the book investigates an unfortunate period in recent Australian history. Readers of crime fiction would, at times, consider that they were reading another crime novel!

This book was one of three books selected as a possible title for discussion by the Monash Alumni Book Club in August-September 2025.

Murder of Michael McGurk - Wikipedia

Ron Medich found guilty - ABC

Australia in 100 Words

Amanda Laugesen in Australia in 100 Words uses a selection of words and terms that help tell the story of Australia and its language. Choosing one hundred words would not have been an easy task but the author provides us with a broad selection of words and terms, including words from Indigenous languages, that are part of the Australian culture and conversation, past and present.

Several pages describe each of the words or terms selected describing the contexts in which the words over time have been used and other similar words. Together the words and terms demonstrate how language in this country has evolved. A good book to dip into.

Madame Brussels: the life and times of Melbourne's most notorious woman

Much has been written about life in parts of Melbourne towards the end of the 19th century. One section in Lonsdale Street, near Parliament House, was well known for its brothels. Madame Brussels' establishments were the best known and were often visited by politicians, landowners and some senior police.

In Madame Brussels: the life and times of Melbourne's most notorious woman by Barbara Minchton and Philip Bently, the authors present the findings of their extensive research on the life and times of Madame Brussels.

Caroline Lohmar was born in Prussia. In 1871 she married Studholme George Hodgson in London before they travelled to Melbourne. When Stud joined the police force and relocated to northern Victoria, his wife needed to find a way of supporting herself so she gradually began establishing what were, for a short time, the most impressive brothels in Melbourne.

This study examines the facts known about the rise and fall of Caroline's business until the early 1900s. She gradually came to use the name Madame Brussels which added to the prestige of the operation. Much of the information for the book comes from court documents - she was tried before the court on a number of occasions - and newspaper reports. Especially towards the end of the nineteenth century there was a movement to remove brothels from the city and newspapers, particularly Truth, often produced long stories venting against women such as Madame Brussels and their industry.

An interesting account of an aspect of Melbourne's history.

Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia

In Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia, Jim Haynes examines the reasons why it was decided to transport convicts to Australia from Britain and how the convicts generally coped in their new country. This book provides a readable introduction to the story behind transportation to Australia

For 270 years Britain transported prisoners from British gaols to different parts of the world. Transportation of convicts to Australia took place from 1787 when the first convicts left on ships for New South Wales and 1868 when transportation to Western Australia ceased. Prior to this, many of the prisoners were transported to America until the American War of Independence 1775 to 1783. As prisons and prison hulks were rapidly becoming overcrowded it was considered necessary to find another location.

Many possible locations were discussed until it was finally decided to send convicts to the other side of the world to serve their term and establish a new colony to prevent the French from taking possession of what was eventually to become Australia. Jim Hayes discusses a variety of reasons the transportation to Australia was considered necessary.

Jim Hayes looks at the attitudes in general to transportation and how transportation to Australia differed from transportation to the Americas. He then writes about men who advocated transportation to Australia including Joseph Banks and James Mario Matra. The next chapters are about a selection of people involved in the transportation of convicts including Surgeon John White on the First Fleet and Captain John Hunter on HMS Sirius. Other chapters concern the lives of a selection of convicts including Mary Reiby, Henry Lovell, John Donohoe who became a bushranger, Sappy Lovell and William Westwood who also became a bushranger. Jim Haynes also includes chapters about the Australian Aboriginal, Permulway, Lieutenant William Dawes, Elizabeth Fry who supported female convicts as did Lady Jane Franklin, wife of the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land.

Corners of Melbourne

Robyn Annear has written a number of books relating to the history of Melbourne. She is an avid user of Trove and this book results from searching records about Melbourne up to 1899 with the limiter 'at the corner'. This produced a range of incidents within a series of broad themes, many of which appear in this book of anecdotes. The subtitle for the book, Corners of Melbourne, is The great Orange-peel panic and other stories from the streets. Most of the stories revolve around corner locations in the city of Melbourne as well as suburbs such as Collingwood, Fitzroy, Carlton and West Melbourne.

Themes covered in this book include accidents that occurred when people slipped on discarded orange and other fruit skins on the flagstones recently laid in Melbourne, accidents that occurred with horses in overcrowded streets, drinking taps and horse troughs, public urinals rather than small lanes used as toilets, street stalls, speakers on a range of topics on street corners, pick pockets, 'entertainers', card readers etc., hoardings with advertising signs and a variety of entertainment set up on land near street corners. 

One chapter covers larrikins, a term first used in the press in 1870 to describe groups of young men (sometimes women) who congregated together in the streets at night and caused havoc. Some would go on the rampage and damage private and public property. The limited police force had difficulty handing the situation. Reading this chapter made me think that not much has changed considering the behavior of some young people today.

Robyn Annear has written an interesting account of lesser known aspects of life in Melbourne in the nineteenth century.

The Changi Book

When the British surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February 1942, Australian soldiers were marched to the army barracks at Changi which was to be a prison for prisoners of war until the Japanese surrendered on 2 September 1945.

The Changi Book edited by Lachlan Grant provides a summary of life in Changi before presenting a collection of articles written by prisoners of war from the 8th Division about aspects of life in Changi. The book also contains cartoons, paintings and photographs made secretly by the prisoners in the camp. This compilation was published in 2015.

At the time of the British surrender, 130,000 British troops including 15,000 members of thee 8th Division became prisoners of the Japanese. Members of the 8th Division were marched to Changi on 17 February. Although they were prisoners of the Japanese they remained with their units and military leaders. The 8th Division was housed at Selarang Barracks previously occupied by 900 Gordon Highlanders and their families. Consequently accommodation was cramped and facilities inadequate for the 15,000 soldiers. The first task was to make the area livable for so many men. The Australian General Hospital was also transferred to Changi.

At Selarang Barracks there was lots of land but the buildings had been damaged during bombing raids. There were no kitchens, no showers, no means of transport and no tools. Food kitchens were built from strips of galvanised iron. Water was obtained from several wells. Latrines had to be constructed. As well as making the area that was to be their new home livable, soldiers were allocated to Japanese working parties, including the erection of a barbed wire fence around the prison.

Access to food for the soldiers was minimal and food that was provided was of poor quality. The soldiers also needed to work out how to cook ingredients with some flavour and nutritional value - not an easy task with rice and sometimes small quantities of fish the only ingredients. Some of the soldiers established contacts with men outside the compound arranging for goods to be brought into the camp on the black market. Grass was also boiled in water to be used for adding nutrition to the food. Outbreaks of dysentery occurred periodically.

The men created their own entertainment including concerts presented by unit entertainers and concert parties. An education scheme was established encouraging the soldiers to learn something new and reduce boredom. This was not always successful. Another major problem was that the men had no access to information about the rest of the war until they eventually managed to acquire a radio. Over three and a half years the men were allowed to send only five postcards home. The first mail from home was received in March 1943.

Life for the men in Changi was not easy but it was much worse for the thousands of soldiers chosen for work camps in Burma, Thailand and Borneo. Thousands of men died on these expeditions and those who returned were mere skeletons. An outbreak of cholera had killed many men in these work parties. Compared with life in these camps, life in Changi was generally better.

Those living in Changi had to be resilient. The essays written by some of the men tell of how many of the men made the best of a bad situation.

The Long Road to Changi

When I discovered that an uncle was interned in Changi during the Second World War I decided to try and find out more about this part of Australian military history.  The Long Road to Changi by Peter Ewer attempts to investigate how Singapore fell to the Japanese and how Britain's claim to have the resources to protect the region proved to be a myth. 

Many British accounts of events at this time blame Australian soldiers for being unruly and poorly trained. The author provides a case to dispel this myth and demonstrates the failures of the British government and military to provide adequate British forces and equipment, particularly ships and planes to protect Singapore and Malaya.

This book is a well researched and written account of events and decisions that led to the fall of Singapore in 1942. The soldiers on the ground are revealed as the real victims of poorly conceived strategies to protect them and the territory they are trying to protect. Like Gallipoli and the invasion of Greece and Crete, the protection of Singapore and Malaya was another British organised disaster. 

Due to the Japanese taking Singapore and Malaya, thousands of Australians and other allied soldiers became prisoners of war. Australia now had to depend on the military forces of the United States to help it protect its shores and neighbouring countries from possible Japanese invasion.

On our doorstep

By March 1942 there was a strong fear in Australia of the threat of Japanese invasion. The Japanese had taken Singapore and Malaya and Darwin had been bombed. The Australian Prime Minister had recalled Australian troops who had been sent to the Middle East. They were now required to help defend Australia and our neighbouring countries.

On Our Doorstep by Craig Collie looks at how the Australian government, Australian military and the Australian people reacted to the possible threat to our country and our region. This book examines how prepared Australia was for the war in the Pacific, the fall of Singapore and Malaya, Australia's traditional alliance with Britain and the necessity of forming strong ties with America, political preparedness as well as how Australians at home coped with the rapid changes occurring around them. The book also looks at the bombing of Darwin and the arrival of Japanese submarines in Sydney Harbour.

Australia's dependence on Britain to help defend Australia was forced to be adjusted as it was realised that previously promised help would not be available. Australia therefore had to turn to the United States for military support. On Our Doorstep provides an informative account of this part of Australian history.

The Long Farewell

The Long Farewell: the perilous voyages  of settlers under sail in the great Australian migration by Don Charlwood was originally published in 1981. The fifth edition of the book was published in 2015.

Don Charlwood has used excerpts from diaries and log books of emigrants travelling to Australia in the middle of the nineteenth century to tell the story of Australian migration. In the book he discusses the perils of such a journey, the route taken, the types of sailing ships and auxiliary steam ships that made the journeys, conditions in Britain causing people to emigrate to another country, preparation required for the trip, leaving home, accommodation on board ship, the crew, surgeons and health, messes and dining, life on board ship and the arrival. The book is well illustrated and there are detailed notes, bibliography and index. The full diaries of three travellers are also included.

This is a well written book providing valuable information for anyone researching this period of Australian history, family history or interested in the history of ships.

The Remarkable Mrs Reiby

Mary Haydock was arrested for stealing a horse in August 1791. Fourteen months later she was aboard the convict ship, Royal Admiral, on her way to Sydney Cove. In 1794, Mary married seaman, Thomas Reiby, and they moved to the Hawkesbury where they been given land to farm. 

They started a cargo business transporting goods on the Hawkesbury River between Sydney and the new settlement where they now lived. Mary became involved in operating the family business as well as looking after their growing family of seven children, especially when her husband travelled overseas for more cargo.

When Thomas Reibey died in 1811, Mary was in control of a successful business which she operated from the heart of Sydney. She was more than able to compete with the other traders in the colony and became a wealthy businesswoman and landowner.

As well as telling Mary's story in The Remarkable Mrs Reibey, Grantlee Kieza provides vivid descriptions of life in the colony of New South Wales at the time both in Sydney and at the Hawkesbury, politics, trade, Rum Corps, other merchants and living as a former convict in the settlement. When some of her family settle in Van Diemen's Land descriptions are also provided of life in that colony. One of Mary's neighbours in Sydney was Simeon Lord whose name appears quite often in the book.

Mary Reibey has been remembered with her image appearing on the Australian $20 note.

 

The book has detailed endnotes and a bibliography.

That Bligh Girl

That Bligh Girl by Sue Williams explores the life of Mary Bligh, daughter of William Bligh who was the fourth Governor of New South Wales. Captain Bligh had also been involved in the Mutiny on the Bounty. Generally her father was known for being stubborn, self important and generally being difficult to get along with if another person disagreed with his viewpoint.

When her father was appointed governor of New South Wales in 1806, Mary had recently married John Putland and they were planning to move to Ireland. Instead, they both found themselves aboard a fleet of ships on their way to New South Wales. Needless to say William Bligh managed to have disagreements with Captain Short as to who was in charge of the fleet. It was a long voyage.

 In this work of historical fiction Sue Williams tells us the story of Mary and of her maid, Meg, as they adapt to a new life in the colony. Much of Mary's time is spent trying to diffuse situations created by her father. Then on January 26, 1808 the military in the colony rebels against their leader in what was later referred to as The Rum Rebellion. After Captain Bligh agrees to return to England he instead sailed to Van Diemen's Land where he remained for twelve months.

Like her previous work of historical fiction, Elizabeth & Elizabeth, Sue Williams creates a world showing what life was like, particularly for women, in the new British colony. Having family who lived in New South Wales during the period described in the book, I enjoyed reading the descriptions of life and challenges in the new colony as portrayed by the author. Another excellent book by Sue Williams.

Information about Mary Bligh:

Mary Bligh O'Connell - Riverstone & District Historical Society & Museum

Elizabeth Macarthur: a life at the edge of the world

Recently a number of books have been written about Elizabeth Macarthur, the wife of John Macarthur who came to the colony with an army regiment in 1790 and later settled with his family in the colony of New South Wales. Elizabeth was born in England in 1776 and died in New South Wales on 9 February, 1850. She married John Macarthur shortly before he left England for New South Wales. John soon saw opportunities to make money in the colony including selling goods arriving from overseas. But once he aquired land he became involved with farming, especially raising sheep.

It was not long before John had developed a reputation for being quick tempered and ready to seek revenge and twice spent many years back in England defending his actions in the colony, including being a leader in the rebellion against Governor Bligh. Elizabeth was left to look after the family and the family business at home.

Recent research shows that much of the success of the enterprises promoted by John Macarthur was due to the work and dedication of Elizabeth. This was especially the case in establishing the family's sheep properties and the export of wool to England. As well as being a successful business woman Elizabeth spent much time trying to be a diplomat and smooth some of the reactions of other people, especially colonial leaders, to her husband's behaviour.

Elizabeth was also devoted to her family. She and John had nine children, seven surviving childhood.

In the book Elizabeth Macarthur, Michelle Scott Tucker has written an informative and readable account of the life of Elizabeth and her family's role in the establishment of the colony of New South Wales. At the end of the book is a bibliography, list of references and an index. There are also some photos of paintings of Macarthur family portraits and their family properties.

Elizabeth & John

Elizabeth & John: the Macarthurs of Elizabeth Farm by Alan Atkinson is a scholarly study of the life and legacy of John Macarthur and his wife, Elizabeth, who arrived in Australia in 1790 and made their home in New South Wales. The Macarthurs are well known for their contribution to the establishment of the sheep industry in Australia plus John's active involvement / interference in colonial politics and business enterprises.

John arrived in the colony as an officer in the army regiment that was stationed in New South Wales. He quickly became involved in promoting the rights of free settlers in the convict colony and was often at odds with the men sent to New South Wales to govern the colony. He was also concerned about, in his opinion, the rights of former convicts (emancipists) to own land and hold administrative positions in the colony.

Alan Atkinson provides a generally readable account of the lives of the Macarthur family in Australia though, unlike other recent publications, he tends to favour John's role over the role played by Elizabeth, particularly when John was in prolonged exile in England on two occasions. The book, however does provide interesting background information about political and ethical thought at the time and how it may have influenced the thinking of John Macarthur. Having convicts in my family who lived in the colony at this time I found that the book provided useful information about life in the colony.

John Macarthur was definitely a complex character with many ideas for improving life in the colony, particularly for free settlers. Unfortunately he could not, or would not, concede that others may also have ideas that should be considered. Consequently he was often in conflict with other men when things did not go the way he wanted. Elizabeth was an intelligent lady who learned how to humour her husband and also promote her own ideas that might benefit the new community being established. When John was away in England, Elizabeth ran the family businesses efficiently and effectively and tried out some new ideas. Towards the end of his life it was recognised that John was insane and his last few years were extremely difficult for his family, and probably for him.

At the end of the book there is a detailed bibliography, footnotes and an index. There are also coloured images of the Macarhur family in the middle of the book.

I have recently read a number of books, fiction and non-fiction, concentrating on the life of Elizabeth Macarthur:

A room made of leaves by Kate Grenville (a novel)

Elizabeth Macarthur's letters edited by Kate Grenville

Elizabeth & Elizabeth by Sue Williams (a novel)

Elizabeth Macarthur's Letters

John Macarthur has long been considered a leading figure in early Sydney colonial history however recently attention has been directed towards his wife, Elizabeth, highlighting her role in the partnership.

In the novel, A Room Made of Leaves, Kate Grenville used Elizabeth as the major character. Another recent book featuring Elizabeth is Elizabeth & Elizabeth by Sue Williams - a novel based on the lives of Elizabeth Macarthur and Elizabeth Macquarie in the colony, especially their roles as wives of two powerful men. 

When researching records for A Room Made of Leaves, Kate Grenville came across a selection of letters that Elizabeth Macarthur had written to her family in England about her life in New South Wales. An edited selection of the letters is included in the book, Elizabeth Macarthur's Letters, along with brief analysis by the editor explaining what was happening when the letters were written.

This compilation not only shows an aspect of the life and relationship between Elizabeth and John but more importantly, for those of us interested in this period of history, adds context to what was happening in the colony at the time.

It has long been known, by observing reports of his actions, that John Macarthur was often a ruthless and conflicted man, however the correspondence shows John's mental deterioration, including behaviour towards his family, towards the  end of his life. It is perhaps fortunate for the colony that Elizabeth was there to keep the family together and to oversee the running of the family properties when her husband was absent.

Nabbing Ned Kelly: the extraordinary true story of the men who brought Australia's nortorious outlaw to justice

Historian David Dufty has meticulously trawled through police and other government records to try and discover what really did happen during the two year police hunt for the outlaw, Ned Kelly, and his gang, who operated in central northern Victoria and southern New South Wales. The result of the research is the book, Nabbing Ned Kelly, which unmasks many of the myths surrounding the Kelly Gang and their supporters.

It is true that some members of the Victorian police force in the nineteenth century were incompetent but there were members of the police force who were dedicated to bringing the bush rangers to justice. Unfortunately the gang had many supporters who were prepared to supply false information to the police and / or intimidate anyone who did not support the Kellys.

Stealing horses, bushranging, removing railway tracks to derail a train carrying police, taking hostages, robbing banks and murdering three policemen were some of the activities undertaken by this group. Yet there are many people who still believe and propagate the myths that have grown up about the Kelly Gang and their so called persecution by the police. 

Novels and poems have been written and films and television programs made about Ned Kelly and his followers. Some newspaper reports at the time and subsequent articles over the years have clouded the true story.  Dufty's book takes a critical look at the reign of the Kelly family in the region and systematically provides facts from the police records to unravel the Kelly myths.

Another historian, Grantlee Kieza, has written the book, The Kelly Hunters: the desperate manhunt to bring down Australia's most nortorious outlaw, also published this year, on the same theme.

Adrift in Melbourne: Seven Walks With Robyn Annear

Some years ago when I worked at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, we developed podcasts providing information about some of the historical sites in the region. Two of these podcasts are available on the RHSV website. Consequently I was interested to see this book of walks around the streets of Melbourne by Robyn Annear. 

Adrift in Melbourne,: seven walks with Robyn Annear showcases some of the hidden history to be found in Melbourne. Most of the actual sites outlined in the walks no longer exist but their history remains. Readers can 'explore' the walks from home with the asistance of an internet search to discover photographs and illustrations of places and people mentioned in the many entertaining stories provided by the author. Of course, readers can also spend some time investigating the sites as they walk the streets of the CBD of Melbourne. This book is a great addition to discoverning more about the history of Melbourne.

Into the World

Into the World by Stephanie Parkyn is based on the life of a real person - Marie-Louise Victorie Giradin (1754-1794). On 28 September 1791 disguised as a ship's steward, Louis Giraden boarded the Researche, one of the two ships sent out by the French King to search for La Perouse's two ships that had disappeared when exploring territories in the Paccific Ocean near New Holland. 

For the next four years Marie-Louise strived to maintain her identity as a man during the expedition. She had untaken this voyage as there was no future for her as an unmarried mothers in France, particularly during the uncertain times of the French Revolution (1789-1799). Marie-Louise planned to use her earnings to support a new life with her son who she would reclaim on her return to France. However, at least one person aboard the ship knew her true identity.

 As well as the search for La Perouse, the ship carried botanists charged with collecting whatever items could be found to bring back to France. Cartographers were also aboard to chart the south coast of Australia while astronomers were to study the southern hemisphere skies. Tensions often arose between those on board as to whose interests should be persued. There were also tensions, on occasion, between those who supported the King and Republicans aboard the ship.

The novel is written from the perspective of Marie-Louise but we also learn of other real people who were on the ships, especially the thoughts of the French explorers. The book provides an insight into an often dangerous time in history as well as providing a possible picture of life aboard a sailing ship travelling into the unknown.

The author located limited reference to Louis Giradin in a number of private journals written by crew members and scientists, particularly the published journal of Jacques-Julien Labillardiere, which provided background information for the novel. 

Australian Dictionary of Biography - Marie-Louise Victoire Giradin

Louis Giradin - Museum of Western Australia

Marie Louise Victoire Giradin- The first European woman to visit Tasmania

Australian Dictionary of Biography - Jean Francoise de Galaup La Perouse

Girt Nation: the unauthorised history of Australia volume 3

The past years of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown weaknesses in the Australian federal system of government with the states frequently working independently to protect the welfare of constituents. Girt Nation by David Hunt examines the years leading up to federation, often providing information about events not normally publicised. Girt Nation is a sequel to Girt and True Girt.

This volume largely tells the story through incidents in the lives of politicians such as Alfred Deakin and Henry Parkes plus poets and authors such as Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson. Topics discussed include the rise of unions and the Labour Party, not to mention wholesale discrimination against Chinese and other immigrants leading to the establishment of the White Australia Policy plus, of course, discrimination against women. Involvement of the colonists in the Boer War and Boxer Rebellion is also discussed as is the rise of larrikin gangs in the cities. The book proves that nothing is new as the author describes the array of conspiracy theories and extreme beliefs, religious and otherwise, that existed in the period of Australian history leading to Federation.

David Hunt definitely looks for the quirky, often amusing aspects of history when telling his story but the reader soon becomes aware that this only highlights the miracle that Federation ever occurred with all the differing opinions and attitudes at the time. Unfortunately it is not difficult to think of parallel events, incidents and attitudes occurring in society today. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in Australian history.

Radio Girl

The subtitle of Radio Girl by David Dufty is 'The story of the extraordinary Mrs Mac, pioneering engineer and wartime legend'. This is truely the story of an incredible woman.

Florence Violet Granville was born in Melbourne in1890 and known as Violet though later in her life she was always referred to as Mrs Mac. The author records not only the story of Mrs Mac's life but also her importance in promoting equal rights for women when choosing the career they want. The book also provides valuable information about the role of signaling systems during the Second World War, particularly the use of Morse code.

Violet was initially a maths teacher but she wanted to be an electrical engineer which was an unacceptable career for a woman. She eventually managed to enrol in a course at Sydney Technical College obtaining her diploma in 1923. Meanwhile she managed a radio sales and repair shop where customers introduced her to crystal sets and amateur radio. She also increased her interest in Morse code. This led to her becoming the first female certificated radio telegraphist in Australia, the first woman in Australia to hold an amateur wireless licence and the first female member of the Wireless Institute of Australia.

In the 1930s Mrs Mac set up The Electrical Association for Women (Australia) where women could safely learn to use electrical appliances. She wrote a cookbook containing basic recipes for cooking on electric appliances as well as articles and a children's book promoting safety around electricity.

With the onset of war Mrs Mac established the Women's Emergency Signalling Corps to train women to become telegraphists. Much resistance was encountered in the acceptance of these women in military service but Mrs Mac persisted and eventually the WRANS was established allowing trained female telegraphists to assist in the war effort. The WESC also trained many servicemen, particularly potential airmen, to use Morse code and other signaling methods. Some American servicemen also attended her course. After the war she concentrated on teaching merchant seamen signaling systems.

The work done by Mrs Mac and her team during the Second World War was voluntary. Eventually the value of her work was recognised when she received an OBE in 1950. Mrs Mac died in 1982.

Until this book was published earlier this year the value of Mrs Mac's contribution to the Australian services during the war and her pioneering work in promoting safe use of electricity in this country was largely forgotten. Hopefully this book will help promote the legacy of a remarkable and determined woman.

Extensive notes, bibliography and index.

Australian Dictionary of Biography article