In the late 1920s and 30s Australia produced a number of globally internationally pioneers of early aviation such as Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm. Australia also had a number of pioneer women aviators whose names are perhaps less wel known but whose accomplishments are of no less consequence.

One of these was Nancy Bird, who rose to pre-eminence in Australia as one of the pioneers in the aero-medical aviation during the 1930s. In December 1936 she won the ladies trophy in the Brisbane to Adelaide air race.

Nancy Bird learnt to fly in 1933 and she had not even turned twenty when she brought her first aeroplane in 1935. After a chance meeting with Reverend Stanley Drummond, the founder of The Far West Children's Health Scheme, Nancy was invited to fly a nursing sister to settlements beyond the reach of the railway.

The Drummond's had developed mobile clinics using modified rail carriages but they could see the potential in starting a flying doctor service of the kind initiated by Arthur Affleck in 1928. The trip was a success and Nancy began working from her base in Bourke where she flew regular aerial clinic tours with a nurse.

In December 1936 she won the ladies trophy in the Brisbane to Adelaide air race. In 1939 she organised the Wings the World Over exhibition. It was first shown by David Jones Ltd and was such a success that Myer emporium then asked her to take the display to Melbourne.

During the War Nancy was a commandant in the Women's Air Training Corps. In 1958 she renewed her licence which had lapsed 20 years before and travelled to America for the Powder Puff Derby, a cross country flying race. She flew in this race three times, coming fifth in her first race and becoming the first non-American to win a trophy in the event. She remains an unofficial international Australian ambassador for women in aviation.

Geoff Barker, Assistant Curator, April 2008

References
Nancy Bird, My God It's a Woman, Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1995
Blue File, Powerhouse Museum, 96/324/1

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