Women at War - World War 2

Women at War

With the exception of Nurses, who had gone overseas with the AIF in 1940, in the early years of the war women were generally unable to make a significant contribution to the war effort in any official capacity. In February 1941, the RAAF received cabinet approval to establish the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF), and in 1942 the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was established. The Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) was established in October 1941, with the aim of releasing men from military base units in Australia for posting to fighting units overseas. Outside the armed services, the Women's Land Army (WLA) was established to encourage women to work in rural industries. Other women in urban areas took up employment in industries, such as munitions production. Around 70 Collie Girls enlisted for service during WW2.

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