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Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has officially named the new AUD 5.3 billion Western Sydney Airport after one of Australia’s greatest female aviators, saying the new airport will transform Sydney.

The airport will officially become Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport – recognising the famed pilot’s contribution to Australia.

“It is fitting that having recognised Charles Kingsford Smith at Sydney Airport that we now recognise Australia’s greatest female aviation pioneer, Nancy-Bird Walton in the naming of Western Sydney Airport,” Morrison said.

“Nancy-Bird Walton was an inspiring and natural choice.

“Nancy-Bird Walton is an Australian legend, a pioneer whose determination to take to the sky is an inspiration for generations who have followed. At just 17, Nancy-Bird enrolled at Charles Kingsford-Smith’s flying school at Mascot.

“Nancy-Bird was the first female pilot in Australia, and the Commonwealth, to be licenced to carry passengers and began her career flying nurses to the outback to provide medical services for children and their mothers.”

Nancy-Bird Walton, “Angel of the Outback” at Kingsford-Smith Flying School in 1933

 

Morrison described Western Sydney airport as “a truly visionary project that will transform our city, recognising the economic powerhouse that is Western Sydney, creating 28,000 jobs within five years of opening, while delivering new tourism and trade opportunities in Sydney and Australia”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Nancy-Bird Walton was a champion for female aviators and it was fitting to honour her achievements.

Last Friday, McCormack attended a roundtable meeting of industry leaders as part of an initiative to enhance and encourage greater gender diversity in the aviation industry.

“Nancy-Bird Walton trained female pilots during World War II and in 1950 established the Australian Women’s Pilots’ Association, which she remained president of until 1990,” he said.

“I imagine she would be pleased to know about this new initiative and that women in aviation are being put in the spotlight.”

Edited by Peter Needham