Across her career, Wing Commander (retd) Mary Anne Whiting has witnessed substantial changes to the treatment of women in the Air Force, and her story is a guiding light for those navigating the rapidly evolving service.
Wing Commander Whiting, who was the last serving member of the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) and recently retired after 53 years, is grateful for a career marked by joy, meaningful connections and a steadfast commitment to breaking barriers.
“When my Dad [a former RAAF navigator] drove me to the recruiting centre to join the WRAAF in 1970, he gave me some advice: ‘Don’t fall for the first bloke you meet, and make the most of every opportunity the Air Force offers you, even if it seems difficult at first’,” Wing Commander Whiting said.
She reflected on how she embarked on that journey, “looking for an adventure with a full heart and a stripe of naivety”.
On the evolution of the Air Force, Wing Commander Whiting noted some significant strides that have been made since her early days. From being segregated from male counterparts to witnessing the first female fighter pilots and a female acting Chief of Air Force, she has seen a positive shift.
WRAAF members were kept separate from RAAF, had no formal command and control equivalent and received only 75 per cent of the pay of their male counterparts.
“There were so many rules,” Wing Commander Whiting said.
“When Germaine Greer was writing about gender equality, women who got married or pregnant had to resign from WRAAF. We were required to live in on-base accommodation, and for our first three years of service, irrespective of our age, there was a literal check that we were in bed by a certain time each night.”
Following her father ’s advice, Wing Commander Whiting kept putting her hand up for opportunities as they arose, despite initially failing her trade exam.
She commissioned in 1984, attending officer training school with six other women, some of whom she remains close to.
To aspiring aviators, Wing Commander Whiting said to seek mentors that provide a balanced perspective and to embrace the exciting changes in the Air Force, from technological advancements to increased social inclusion.
For current aviators, she believes her father’s advice still stands, with a small amendment: “Don’t fall for the first person you meet, and take every opportunity the Air Force offers you, even if it seems difficult at first.”
