The Trustees, Director and staff of the Powerhouse Museum acknowledge with sadness the recent death of aviation pioneer Nancy-Bird Walton, AO, OBE, Dame of St John (Knights of Malta).

Nancy was a crusader for aviation in Australia and for women's participation in all areas of flying. In later years she became an unofficial ambassador for the Powerhouse, generously supporting the Museum's collection, programs and exhibitions. In 2007 she was made a Museum Life Fellow. A small collection of artefacts and photos commemorating Nancy's life and work will be on display in the Musuem foyer until late April 2009.

Nancy Bird began flying when she was only 17, taking her first lessons from Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at his flying school at Mascot, Sydney. Two years later, in 1933, Nancy became the youngest female commercial pilot in Australia. By 1935 she was working as the pilot for the Far West Children's Health Scheme, flying a nursing sister to remote properties and pioneering aerial ambulance and baby clinic services.

Nancy went on to command the Women's Air Training Corps during WWII and later founded the Australian Women Pilots' Association. Throughout her life she encouraged and inspired women to pursue careers in flying. She was also a great humanitarian giving her time to many aviation medical causes such as the Flying Doctor Service, the Far West Children's Scheme and Careflight. In 1997 she was named a National Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia.

Nancy's commitment to recording and preserving Australian aviation history led to a long and rewarding relationship with the Powerhouse Museum. Over the years she generously donated a large collection of memorabilia, photographs and artworks to the collection, as well as assisting curators' research with first hand accounts, archival material and contacts.

In 2002-2001 Nancy provided great support in the development and touring of the Museum's 'Women with Wings' exhibition and the accompanying publication. At the opening of the exhibition she enthralled her listeners with stories of women pilots who had battled the male domain to be accepted as commercial pilots. She went on to promote the exhibition and the Museum and spoke with visitors about her experiences on a number of occasions.

Most recently Nancy provided voice-over for Further, Faster, Higher, screened hourly in the Museum's Transport exhibition, and was a special guest at the aviation themed open day at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre in October 2007.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with her.

Powerhouse Museum, January 2009

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