Violet McKenzie, Australia’s First Female Electrician from Austi.
Mrs Mac Pioneering Engineer, Teacher and Wartime Legend
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Florence Violet McKenzie (Mrs Mac)
1890-1982
‘Violet McKenzie, Australia’s First Female Electrician from Austi.’
Lived in Austinmer, Went to Thirroul Public School (Florence Wallace)
Won a scholarship to Sydney Girls High School, (travelled by train)
Australia’s First Female Electrical Engineer (Sydney Technical College)
Radio Sales and Repair shop, Royal Arcade Sydney
Married Cecil McKenzie then known as Violet McKenzie
First Australian Female Radio Telegraphist
First Female Member of the Wireless Institute of Australia
First woman to hold an Amateur Radio Licence in Australia
Founded the Electrical Association for Women (Australia)
Published the First woman’s guide for Cooking with Electricity
Published an Electrical Education guide for children
Corresponded regularly with Albert Einstein
Joined the Australian Women’s Flying Club, learned Morse Code
Formed the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps
Trained over 3000 women in signals (Volunteer)
By 1945 she had trained over 12,000 men in Morse Code
Trained the First 14 women to start the WRANS
Was appointed an OBE in 1950
She continued scientific study, reading, gardening and jam making