Shore to Sea: the changing role of women in the Royal Australian Navy

From Mrs Mac’s Emergency Signalling Corps in the Second World War and the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) personnel who served through Cyclone Tracy, to the women submariners of today, these two talks celebrate the incredible contributions of women to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Hear from two accomplished historians, Dr Catie Gilchrist and Patricia Collins, as they explore the journey of women in the RAN from shore to sea.

Dr Gilchrist explores the remarkable journey of women in the RAN from the pre–Second World War era—when their involvement was largely limited to roles as wives and “sweethearts”—to their vital contributions during wartime. Dr Gilchrist examines the creation of Mrs Mac’s Emergency Signalling Corps, the gradual acceptance of women into the RAN, and the essential work they performed on shore to “keep the boys afloat”. Against the backdrop of the slow march of progress through the 1950s–1970s and the eventual integration of women into the RAN in the 1980s, Dr Gilchrist contemplates women’s naval service today.

Patricia Collins reflects on the changing roles of the WRANS in the context of women’s defence service internationally. Exploring the service of Navy women through one of Australia’s worst natural disasters, Patricia shares her personal experiences of Navy service in the 1970s, and insights from her award-winning publication Rock and Tempest: Surviving Cyclone Tracy and its Aftermath.

Shore to Sea is hosted by the Anzac Memorial as part of NSW Women’s Week 2026.

When: 3:30pm – 5:00pm, Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Where: Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park

Entry is free. Booking essential.

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Host or Publisher The Anzac Memorial