Pioneering Australian pilot Deborah Lawrie has seen her legendary battle with Ansett was a stage play.
Lawrie, who paved the way in which for feminine industrial pilots in Australia together with her landmark Excessive Courtroom win over Ansett in 1979-80 and nonetheless flies for Virgin, not too long ago attended a preview present of the play FLY GIRL at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre forward of its opening on 22 October.
This content material is out there completely to Australian Aviation members.
To proceed studying the remainder of this text, please login.
To unlock all Australian Aviation journal content material and once more limitless entry to our each day information and options, grow to be a member immediately!
A month-to-month membership is barely $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
See advantages
Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
Entry to In Focus experiences each month on our web site
MOST POPULAR
PRINT + DIGITAL
See advantages
Limitless entry to all Australian Aviation digital content material
Entry to the Australian Aviation app
Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
Entry to In Focus experiences each month on our web site
Entry to our Behind the Lens photograph galleries and different unique content material
Day by day information updates through our electronic mail bulletin
DIGITAL
See advantages
Limitless entry to all Australian Aviation digital content material
Entry to the Australian Aviation app
Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
Entry to In Focus experiences each month on our web site
Entry to our Behind the Lens photograph galleries and different unique content material
Day by day information updates through our electronic mail bulletin
The play, written by Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore, dramatises Lawrie’s “turbulent journey to turning into Australia’s first feminine industrial airline pilot”.
“Watching my battle on the stage has introduced residence to me simply how laborious that battle was,” Lawrie stated in a video for LinkedIn.
“I by no means consider myself as a trailblazer, however as time’s gone on, I believe the influence of what I did preventing a battle in opposition to discrimination that’s extra seen now as trailblazing. So, I’m getting used to the position, let’s simply say.”
In a word on the Ensemble Theatre’s web site, Hegney and Moore stated that they had been “amazed and dumbfounded” to initially study of Lawrie’s story.
“Within the late 70s, at simply 25 years previous, Deborah Lawrie withstood essentially the most unbelievable strain for greater than 18 months to grow to be the primary particular person to win a case underneath the Intercourse Discrimination Act. Her win paved the way in which for all Australian working ladies,” they stated.
“Deb is a trailblazer within the true sense of the phrase. Over the previous few years, we’ve got had the privilege of attending to know the lady behind the legend.
“Deb is quietly formidable, unpretentious, witty and has extra humility than one would count on from somebody who has had such a profound impact on the world. She has been gracious and abundantly beneficiant in sharing her life story with us.”
Dave Emerson, chief govt of Virgin Australia, stated Lawrie is an “inspiration” to everybody on the airline.
“We really feel extremely lucky to have her as a part of our workforce and to cheer her on as her outstanding story is delivered to life,” he stated.
“Deborah has paved a path for girls in aviation and FLY GIRL is a celebration of her unimaginable legacy and preventing spirit.
“Her story is well known at Virgin Australia and all through the aviation group, and we’re thrilled to see it encourage much more folks when it takes the stage this month.”
FLY GIRL runs on the Ensemble Theatre till 22 November.
